GENERAL SANTOS CITY. -Manny Pacquiao is set to file charges against New Jersey-based promoter Murad Muhammad for allegedly gypping him of several millions of pesos representing his share of the pay-per-view proceeds in his recent fight against Mexican Erik Morales.
In a press conference here Sunday, Pacquiao claimed that under a sharing agreement he signed before the fight, he is entitled to 40 percent of the pay-per-view proceeds (actually a share of the HBO earnings), with Morales getting the same and Muhammad 20 percent.
He claimed he received nothing from Muhammad after his unanimous decision loss to Morales last March 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
HBO has reported the Pacquiao-Morales super-featherweight match generated 350,000 buys amounting to $14.75 million in pay-per-view income.
“I could have earned several millions (more) had Murad paid me my 40 percent share from the pay-per-view earnings,” said Pacquiao, adding he will file a suit against Muhammad through the help of his new manager, Shelley Finkel.
He claimed Muhammad earned some $3 million in pay-per-view proceeds.
Pacquiao earned $1.75 million in his fight against Morales although his take home pay amounts to just more than a million dollars after taxes and commissions.
Pacquiao, 26, arrived here Sunday and was given a hero’s welcome by local officials led by City Mayor Pedro Acharon and fans. He said he will prepare for another fight in July but added a possible rematch with Morales is still being worked out by his handlers.
At the same time, Pacquiao blasted Muhammad for signing an agreement binding the two boxers to use the Japanese-made Winning gloves for the 12-round fight. Pacquiao fought in the past using Mexican-made Cleto Reyes gloves.
He admitted, however, that he wasn’t thoroughly focused in training, adding his attention was distracted by extra-curricular activities like shooting a television show before he left for Los Angeles.
On Monday, he graced the opening of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association Meet involving 5,000 athletes and officials.
Fans, meanwhile, are clamoring for an immediate rematch between Pacquiao and Morales as indicated in the website mannypacquiao.ph.
In response to the question ‘Who do you want to be Manny’s next opponent?’ 39.4 percent of 716 respondents so far said they favor an immediate rematch with Morales. A total of 19.7 percent of the respondents said they favor a rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez while 17.9 percent said they want a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera.
