Manny Pacquaio goes hard when he trains.
He goes hard when he fights.
Sometimes, he parties hard when he’s in the mood to party hearty.
But, according to his hardworking agent Michael Koncz, Pacman is not on any deadline to choose his May 7 Las Vegas MGM Grand opponent.
The way promoter Bob Arum has been talking it seemed certain that Megammanny would tab either runaway favorite Sugar Shane Mosley, second choice but far back selection Juan Manuel Marquez or million to one longshot Andre Berto this week, right before his Friday 32nd birthday party in Gensan or right after the lavish, blowout bash at the local Convention Center.
Koncz told me Thursday morning from Gensan that is not the case.
“What’s the big rush?” the Canadian native said. “We’ve got a fight coming up on May 7 so now Manny has some down time. After the party, Manny and his family will take a vacation. There’s no rush by Manny to pick the guy for May 7.”
Koncz said he has huddled with Arum, who will be accompanied by lovely wife Lovee at the big bash, and that Pacman also listened to Arum’s pitch as to the merits and demertits of the troika of candidates in Manila this week.
“I have no idea when Manny will make this decision,” Koncz said. “We’re still talking it over and there is no imminent or pressing deadline here. Bob comes into Gensan on Friday morning and we have the big party Friday night. But that doesn’t mean Manny will make his choice right before or right after. Like I said, we have lots of time.”
I asked Koncz about some criticism concerning Pacman supposedly having a “Godfather” movie them for his natal celebration. Like Arum told me on Wednesday, he knows nothing about this.
“The Godfather as a party theme?” Koncz said. “I know nothing about this.”
I did not even ask about Buboy Fernandez showing up to the party dressed as Luca Brasi.
It’s no secret that Arum is pushing for Mosley first, second and third.
But maybe Manny wants to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s before he makes his pick.
