TIME was when Manny Pacquiao settled himself, with nary a whimper, at economy class whenever he flies to the US. He also stayed in a standard hotel room. But those “sacrifices,” even when he was champion, seemed small when even in his own fights, he practically had to beg promoters for extra complimentary passes to accommodate his friends.
Well, not anymore.
As part of the agreement that he signed with his American handlers, Pacquiao is entitled to two first-class tickets to Los Angeles, four in economy class, seven hotel rooms and at least 20 ringside passes whenever he fights in the US.
Pacquiao said this was what his chief handler, Shelly Finkel, assisted by lawyers Nicholas Khan and Keith Davidson, inserted in his contract so the Filipino idol can travel the way a celebrity like him should – in style.
“The first-class tickets are for me and my wife Jinkee, while the rest are for my training assistants,” said Pacquiao, who is scheduled to fly to the US late this month to start training for a Sept. 10 fight at the Staples Center.
Buboy Fernandez and Lito Mondejar should be on a Philippine Airlines flight to Los Angeles probably on July 28 or 29 since Pacquiao has made it clear that he wants to be at ringside when Brian Viloria goes after the World Boxing Council light-flyweight title on July 30 in a 12,000-seat venue inside the sprawling Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Viloria, who was born in Hawaii, traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, where his father Ben originated. Viloria is also being trained by noted cornerman Freddie Roach.
The name of Pacquiao’s opponent hasn’t been decided but Kevin Kelley is a strong candidate.
In the event Pacquiao hurdles Kelley, he will see action again on Dec. 10 probably against Carlos Hernandez of El Salvador to spice up a blockbuster March 2006 rematch with Erik Morales, according to reports coming out of the Filipino lefty’s training headquarters at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
Pacquiao recently accepted an out-of-court settlement from his long-time promoter Murad Muhammad just moments before an eight-man New York jury was to come out with its decision on the $33-million case the boxer filed last April.
