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ROACH SAYS THE BEST FIGHT FOR PACQUIAO IS BARRERA By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 29 Jun 2007  In the midst of a swirl of speculations regarding the possible resolution of the bitter conflict between Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arum of Top Rank in the mediation talks presided over by retired judge Dan Weinstein, trainer Freddie Roach believes the best fight for Manny Pacquiao would be a rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera. Roach, in an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today declined to make any comments on the mediation talks or their outcome saying “I have no idea” but indicated that if differences are resolved then a Barrera rematch is “the best fight at this time because Barrera is going to retire of he doesn’t fight Manny.” Roach said he was confident that Pacquiao would beat Barrera although he has emphasized that Pacquiao would have to train hard for two months to ensure he could defeat Barrera whom he demolished in eleven rounds at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas in November 2003. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is not talking at all saying he wants to respect the confidentiality of the discussions which was ordered by Weinstein a highly respected mediator of lawsuits whose expertise is used under a system that has evolved in California. However, according to Steve Kim of Max Boxing, Schaefer conceded that the rift was “not good for the game” even as he stressed that Arum had to be “reasonable” if their dispute is to be settled. Schaefer told Kim that a formula can be worked out in which Golden Boy and Top Rank “can promote Pacquiao together.” Oscar De La Hoya himself was quoted by Kim as telling him he wished they could “patch things up” because there were many fights Golden Boy and Top Rank could make together, “exciting fights we can make together.” Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today contacted Pacquiao's friend and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud in Malaysia and was told that he had spoken to Pacquiao regarding speculations about a settlement and a joint announcement to be made today by Golden Boy and Arum which prompted Pacquiao to say "the problem is you don't believe me." However, Salud said the Filipino ring idol didn't wish to say anything more. Arum, despite his sometimes nasty remarks directed at Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya has consistently pushed for a settlement in the wake of huge lawyers fees on both sides and a desire to get Pacquiao the most lucrative fights available since Golden Boy handles all the big name fighters. Roach said that obviously Pacquiao will earn much more if he fights Barrera than if he fights someone else as evidenced when he fought unknown but undefeated Jorge Solis and received a mere $2 million with the pay-per-view proving to be a major disappointment with less than 200,000 buys. Should the two leading promoters get together then a whole new world opens up for Pacquiao since Golden Boy could line-up multi-million dollar fights against WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, Rocky Juarez and others. It will also help him earn the kind of money that can compensate for his huge losses in the congressional campaign last May 14 plus the legal fees he is bound to have to shell out to defend himself against the lawsuit filed by former manager Shelly Finkel against Pacquiao, Arum and Top Rank for alleged breach of contract. There is no indication at all whether a comprehensive agreement between Golden Boy and Arum would help resolve the lawsuits of Finkel who is known to be close to Golden Boy Promotions. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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