At a time when he is within weeks of plunging into serious training in his buildup for his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez in February, Manny Pacquiao found himself facing a possible contract dispute with his American promoter.
The Ring Magazine featherweight champ is currently weighing his options on whether or not to renew his ties with US-based promoter Murad Muhammad whose contract with the Filipino fighter was to expire this year.
Pacquiao revealed yesterday that he felt Murad had tried to pull one over him after the latter gave him a two-fight contract the promoter had wanted the Filipino boxing champion to sign, including a $1.75 million paycheck for his probable fight against Erik Morales sometime in July.
“Akala yata nila ay hindi ko babasahin, akala yata niya (Murad) ay basta ko na lang pipirmahan ung kontrata (Maybe he thought I wouldn?t study it, and just sign the contract),” Pacquiao told reporters yesterday morning during his visit to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza at the Manila City Hall.
The General Santos southpaw visited Atienza to thank the local chief executive for all the support he extended to Pacquiao during his fight against Thai boxer Three K Battery last Dec. 11 in Taguig City.
What irked Pacquiao was the contract given him wherein Murad had put together two fights in one document. He said that it has always been a one fight, one contract in his previous fights.
“Two-fight contract ang ibinigay sa akin kaya?t pinag-iisipan ko pa rin hanggang ngayon. Yung laban kay Marquez ay walang problema sa akin pero bakit isinama na pati yung kay Morales?” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao?s contract with Marquez, whom he fought to a controversial split draw last May, offers a whopping $900,000 purse.
His handlers fear that the contract dispute could sidetrack Pacquiao preparation against Marquez. Upon instruction from American trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao is set to leave for the US last week of this month and is expected to head straight to the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
Marquez, according to Roach, will be more prepared for him in the rematch so it is but necessary that Pacquiao?s got to be “ready for war.”
One of the new strategies Roach is considering will involve Pacquiao using the right hand more than usual. Pacquiao used the right against Fahsan but it was still his left that produced the knockout.
