INTERNATIONAL promoter Murad Muhammad yesterday vehemently denied that he had “sold out” when he signed a contract that allowed the use of Winning gloves, Erik Morales’ preferred brand, for the March 19 showdown with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Murad was reacting to charges that he had signed for the use of the thicker Japan-made gloves to the disadvantage of Pacquiao, who has been using the thinner Cleto Reyes brand since he started fighting in the United States in 2001.
On Saturday, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said Murad agreed to the use of Winning, which would give Morales the edge, “without consulting anybody.”
Murad, however, exploded when informed of the charges, carried on the Internet, that he had sold Pacquiao cheap.
Upon learning that the Internet story was written by Winchell Campos, a Team Pacquiao insider, Murad went livid.
“Murad claimed that Campos was someone who left his country and traded the Philippines for the US,” Ronnie Nathanielsz wrote in a dispatch to the Manila Standard yesterday.
“Murad said Campos is now sowing dissension within the Pacquiao camp, just days before the crucial, defining fight of Pacquiao’s career.”
Explained Murad: “Do you for a moment think that I would do this to Pacquiao, a fighter whom we have built to become the greatest little man who ever came to the shores of North America? This is ludicrous. I would never allow my fighter to be disadvantaged.”
Murad added Morales “will never beat us no matter what gloves they wear because Manny is going to win that fight.”
“The gloves are incidental,” he said. “My goal was to get Erik Morales and Manny will win whether he uses Everlast, Winning, Reyes or any other gloves.”
Campos, formerly with the Manila Times, who has fed Manila with vital details on Pacquiao’s training here, has reportedly moved into the Pacquiao apartment.
He had actually tried to keep the gloves issue from the media, apparently to maintain peace in the Pacquiao camp.
Roach said the Reyes gloves are “a puncher’s gloves and power registers,” while the Winning gloves are “softer and thicker” and should suit the needs of Morales, who “must have bad hands and wants more padding on the gloves.”
Murad was expected in Las Vegas Monday to receive Team Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao himself has reportedly revealed he had spent almost P2 million on airline tickets, hotel accommodation and ringside tickets for guests he had invited.
First Gentleman Jose Miguel ?Mike? Arroyo is expected to arrive in Las Vegas two days before the fight, while a host of other personalities from Manila are also expected at ringside on March 19.
