Manny Pacquiao is not smiling nowadays, despite his coming earnings outside the ring via endorsements and TV shows. In fact, Manny has a dilemma on how to balance things with his new group from that of his old group.
The old group is led by Murad Muhammad, Business Manager Rod Nazario and advisers Moy Lainez and Ronnie Nathanielsz.
The new group is mostly composed of Americans with Freddie Roach leading the way, US-based manager Shelly Finkel, lawyers Keith Davidson and Nick Khan, and last to the list is the reported PR consultant Winchell Campos, the lone Filipino in this new group.
These two groups are in a tug-of-war to get Manny’s confidence and both groups were saying that they only care for the general welfare of Manny.
However, who can we believe really cares or who really is only after the price tag of Manny as a prizefighter?
These two groups are fighting for respect and integrity, but it seems both have their share of questionable identities.
I have as much right as the next guy to state my opinion and I have issues with both of these groups.
The Murad Muhammad issue is a closed case and whatever legal actions Manny has planned against his American promoter must be put in order once and for all.
Rod Nazario, being a Filipino, a father figure and responsible for Manny’s rise to stardom, should be given his rightful space to clear his side. However, my issue with him is that why not help Manny get rid of Murad. It has been a wish of his fighter to break ties with Murad, but despite of all the controversial issues on Murad, why is it that Nazario keeps on associating with Murad?
As for Freddie Roach, my issue with him is why he advised Manny to make Finkel, Davidson and Khan an official business associate in the middle of the preparation for the Morales fight. Letting Manny sign only made Finkel and his group get a share of the pie Manny would earn in his fight with Morales. It is like “I will help you, but firstly, make me part of the payroll”. As I was saying before, Manny could just get a lawyer to sue Murad after the fight and just keep the share Finkel received in his own pocket. The presence of a lawyer after a fight is more economical for Manny than signing two lawyers who would have live shares on his Morales fight. There was no reason at all to rush in signing with Finkel et al.
I would understand that Roach et al, would only like to help Manny get out of Murad’s umbrella, but why the accusations has to cross beyond the relationship of Manny with his Filipino advisers like Nazario and Nathanielsz who cared for the fighter from his unknown days to the present.
If Nazario conspired with Murad on the pay-per-view issue and proved to have failed to pay the taxes of Manny in the US, then he has to be crucified.
However, if Nazario is clean with his conscience and he paid Manny’s taxes in full, then let us spare him. Let us be reminded that it was not only Manny who picked Roach as his trainer, Nazario’s final approval paved the way for Roach to become Manny’s chief trainer.
As for Nathanielsz, I think his only fault is his close association with Murad Muhammad and his belief that the promoter is the only messiah for the career of Pacquiao, but I do not think he has a hidden agenda at all to earn more at the expense of Manny via Murad Muhammad.
I was made to think that the new group, though more silent, is beginning to act more aggressively, as if they really want to steal Manny from the old group. I am not accusing them of anything, but they have to be more cautious of their moves because they can be mistaken as a group out to steal Manny and benefit from Pacman as a prizefighter.
On the other hand, before Nazario demands Manny to get rid of his new group, I think Manny has more the right to demand the ouster of Murad from the fold.
My point here is simple, if all parties are really only after the general welfare of the Pacman, why don’t they all just come together and nail the coffin on Murad alone? After all, it is Manny Pacquiao’s wish to get rid of Murad.
This is a challenge to all handlers of Manny, I believe with all of their personal interests, it is not easy to face this challenge, worst they might just ignore this one.
As for Manny, I advise him to observe carefully all the people around him. Manny Pacquiao has become like a treasure that anyone around him would like to own.
