The giant sports network ESPN is interested in staging a title fight between featherweight “People?s Champion” Manny Pacquiao and World Boxing Organization champion Scott Harrison in Scotland but they “don?t want to deal with promoter Murad Muhammad” according to Roberto ” Boying” Nazario, son of Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario who handles his father?s business in the US.
Harrison?s manager Frank Maloney in an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard showed interest in a Harrison-Pacquiao fight and asked for “more infornation” including details on “who will stage the fight” and where it will be held. He also wanted to know “what Manny Pacquiao brings to the table.” He said Harrison is currently in training for an October 29 fight date although no opponent has been named as yet. The email from Maloney was forwarded to Nazario as well as Murad. The young Nazario said his father and Murad are scheduled to discuss three possible options which the promoter will put forward today. However, one of the options which was a fight against former WBA and IBA super featherweight champion Joel Casamayor has already been rejected by both Pacquiao and Nazario stressing “we don?t think it?s a good fight because nothing will happen. It?s a no brainer.”
Nazario said Pacquiao who worked out at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach along with younger brother and Philippine super featherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao looked sharp and impressed Roach with his condition and the fact that he had nor forgotten the things he had taught him. Roach also worked the punch mitts with Bobby and immediately corrected a flaw he detected in the way he threw his right jab, being a southpaw. Gorres listened to Roach intently but didn?t step into the ring because of an aching right hand following his bout with Thailand?s Sairung Suwanasil last September 4.
Nazario reported that Pacquiao was “getting restless and wants to bring his family to Los Angeles” until there is definite word on his next fight which Murad said would definitely take place before the end of this year. Nazario hinted that Murad may be on his way out when his contract expires next February because he appeared to have “run out of luck” and was “not doling out any money and was merely talking.” Nazario said that “when you have a champion like Pacquiao you need to put your money where your mouth is.”
In rejecting a planned fight against Casamayor which HBO Sports was also reportedly against, Pacquiao pointed out that Casamayor has no title, is now campaigning as a lightweight and doesn?t stand and fight but runs away which doesn?t suit his style.
