LOS ANGELES ? The man in whose hands Manny Pacquiao has entrusted his career?at least for the next two years ? is confident the two-time world boxing champion will beat Erik Morales in their scheduled 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 19.
In a phone interview from his New York office, Shelly Finkel said “unless something happens that none of us expects, Manny will knock out Morales.”
Finkel described Pacquiao?s future as “phenomenal” and “so bright” but declined to reveal what he has in mind for the Filipino beyond the Morales fight.
“I don?t want to think past Morales,” said Finkel, who became involved in boxing in 1978 after promoting rock concerts. “Manny has a tough fight coming up. I?m confident he?ll win. After he wins, we?ll sit down to talk about doing many things. I regard Manny as a national treasure of the Philippines and I?ll do everything to make him bigger in his country and all over the world.”
Finkel, 60, said his track record as a boxing manager speaks for itself.
“I manage (Mike) Tyson and the Klitschkos,” continued Finkel. “I?m looking to help Manny in any way possible. I want his career going forward. I know how much he means to the Philippines and how much the Philippines means to him. He will always be loyal to his country and countrymen and I will do my part in respecting that relationship. I hope to get the chance to visit the Philippines, perhaps after the Morales fight, to tell Manny?s fans he?s in good hands.”
Finkel said he?s looking forward to working closely with Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario.
“I had a very good meeting with Mr. Nazario a few days ago in Los Angeles,” said Finkel. “I think we?ll work well together. Manny will never abandon the Philippines and Mr. Nazario is the connection to the Philippines. Since I will concentrate on the markets outside the Philippines, Mr. Nazario will be our link to make sure Manny continues to fight in his country.”
Finkel said he realizes Pacquiao is not recognized as a world champion by any of the major governing bodies at the moment. Pacquiao relinquished his International Boxing Federation superbantamweight title after he halted Marco Antonio Barrera to become the consensus world featherweight champion in November 2003.
“Holding a belt is not a factor in a fighter?s marketability,” noted Finkel. “Manny is known as an action fighter. He comes to fight and looks to knock his opponent out. That?s what the public wants to see in a fighter. That?s why the public wants to see Manny fight. The belt doesn?t matter.”
No title will be at stake when Pacquiao and Morales face off but ticket sales for the fight are brisk and the bout is on pay-per-view.
Finkel said he is not at liberty to disclose how much Pacquiao will earn for fighting Morales. Finkel?s lawyer Keith Davidson earlier said the contract is being reevaluated and renegotiated.
“I couldn?t tell you how much Manny is earning,” said Finkel. “Let Manny disclose it if he wants to. But it shouldn?t come from me as a matter of principle.”
Finkel said Morales will engage Pacquiao in a slugfest and anticipates an exciting duel. “Morales takes a good punch,” he went on. “I expect he?ll try to keep off Manny in the early rounds ? which is a hard thing to do ? and try to step it up in the middle to the later rounds. It will be interesting to find out if Morales can hold off Manny because Manny is so relentless.”
Finkel confirmed that he is reviewing Pacquiao?s past fight contracts in the US but would not reveal what he has uncovered so far.
As for his contract with Pacquiao, Finkel said it?s not extraordinary.
“There are no special clauses, no secrets, no hidden things,” said Finkel. “It?s a standard State Athletic Commission contract between a fighter and a manager.”
Davidson explained that there?s a significant upgrade in Pacquiao?s financial status with the Morales fight.
“This is Manny?s first pay-per-view fight and it opens up a whole new dimension of financial matters for him,” said Davidson. “We want Manny to be involved in the management of his finances, to be aware of his total financial affairs. We all work for Manny. Without him, we wouldn?t be here. He risks his life in the ring and that?s why he?s entitled to what he should rightfully earn in every fight. There will be nothing hidden from him in terms of money.”
Davidson said Pacquiao stands to earn a bundle from pay-per-view in venue receipts, closed circuit, cable subscriptions and endorsements.
It is estimated that when every penny is accounted for, Pacquiao could take as much as $4 Million to the bank in the biggest fight of his career.
