What the hell Pac-Man been doin? broke with all that money he made?!
Those with short memories or those that were not on board the Pacquiao express back in 2003-2004 probably don?t recall the intense discussions in the boxing world when Freddie Roach warned the world that something was amiss with the money Pacquiao was getting from then promoter Murad Muhammad.
In 2005, Pacquiao filed suit and the boxing community became fully aware that Roach was spot on in regards to Promotional and Managerial failings in the Pac-Man team. Roach was at the head of protecting his Philippine fighter, even quitting the team at one point.
Missing were the funds to pay his US taxes, diverted by less scrupulous people than the trusting Manny, though this matter was settled in court the cost may have affected Pacquiao?s bottom line, so to that point perhaps money from before that date is not all that correct when reported in the press.
??It has taken me awhile to come to terms with the fact that I have been cheated by people whom I trusted,? stated Mr. Pacquiao regarding the lawsuit today. ?I intend to see this suit to the bitter end so that I can recover every dollar that was stolen from me, as well as help protect other fighters from being taken advantage of by Mr. Muhammad. As for the immediate future, my fans can rest assured that I will be fighting soon, but not with Murad Muhammad or M&M Sports as my promoter. As of today, I have instructed my new management to begin negotiating for my next fight and fights thereafter. I will never fight again for Murad Muhammad and M&M Sports.?
That quote came from a 2005 article where one would think that the Pac-Man would have learned his lesson. However?
Boxing, as they say, is the red light district of sports. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to be able to understand that wheeling and dealing in professional boxing not only involves game-fixing and one-sided matches, it also extends to the financial side of fight contracts ? verbal or written or both.
Pacquiao began receiving, officially, million dollar purses when he fought Erik Morales in a rematch in January 2006.
Since then, his fight purses have been on the up, topping a reported US$20 million guaranteed prize for fighting Shane Mosley.
Counting the upsides from all his previous fights since 2006 (pay per view receipts, TV rights, live gate proceeds, fight merchandise, commercial endorsements, etc), Pacquiao should have already accumulated well over US$150 million in gross earnings.
By Filipino standards, he should be a billionaire as his latest statement of assets and liabilities (SAL) filed before the House of Representative indicated he is at the moment.
But Pacquiao coach Freddie Roach was reported to have said his ward is now broke and he has to continue fighting.
Sounds like Pacquiao should have been listening to more Tupac while he was in training.
Now everybody keep your eyes on the prize cause the ride get tricky See you got some n***as on your side That say they?re your friends But in real life they your enemies And then you got some mutha-f****s that say they your enemies But in real life they eyes is on your money See the enemies will say they true But in real life those n***s will be the snitches Its a dirty game y?all Y?all got ta be careful about who you f**k with and who you don?t f**k with Cause the s**t get wild y?all Keep your mind on your riches, Baby Keep your mind on your riches
-Tupac Amaru Shakur (?Heartz Of Men?, All Eyez On Me)
