Describing Shelly Finkel as shrewd is certainly accurate, agrees Nigel Collins.
But the editor in chief of Ring, considered the bible of boxing, also believes Finkel will bring Manny Pacquiao success that will surpass what the Filipino slugger has achieved so far on US soil.
?There?s no doubt that he?s been extremely successful as a manager and advisor of top boxers,? Collins said through e-mail.
Asked whether he thought reports describing Finkel as shrewd were accurate, Collins replied, ??certainly.?
?I?ve also heard him described as ?a man very skilled in creating problems that only he can solve,? which in the Machiavellian world of professional boxing can be both an asset and a liability from the fighter?s point of view,? Collins added.
Since Pacquiao ditched his manager Marty Elorde for Finkel on January 31, a variety of opinions about Pacquiao?s move has exploded through the Internet.
On www.mannypacquiao.ph, Pacquiao?s website, nearly three out of five people agreed that Pacquiao?s move to Finkel was the right idea.
Only 24 percent disagreed, while 16 percent said they did not care.
Collins shared the notion with a majority of the voters.
?While nothing in boxing is ever 100 percent certain, I believe Pacquiao?s career will most likely be helped by the switch to Finkel.?
Collins, a one-time visitor to Manila, also quashed the idea that Pacquiao?s association with Finkel, who has ties with a rival sports program of HBO, will hamper Pacquiao?s deals with the pay-per-view network.
?Finkel has successfully done business with both HBO and [Showtime] over the years, and I see no reason that this should not continue with Pacquiao.?
From a journalist?s point of view, however, Collins warned that ?[Finkel] is known as a man who very seldom reveals anything of significance during an interview.?
Pacquiao hired Finkel last week, and lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Khan to take care of the business, legal and management sides of his career, a move that Pacquiao described on www.mannypacquiao.ph as ?the best decision of [my] boxing career.? ?I feel good and I am happier now. I have full trust in my new management team because I know they have the experience and expertise to make things work.
?I am now more confident and secure that everything is in order and that my only concern now is to fight, fight and win,? the website reported.
Pacquiao, who signed the two-year deal in front of the California State Athletic Commission, has also changed living quarters from the Vagabond Inn to a two-bedroom apartment in Hollywood. He is currently preparing for his battle with Erik Morales on March 19.
?Timing na lang ang kailangan. Saka pina-practice namin ?yung counter-punching n?ya,? said Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao?s Filipino trainer and confidante.
