Now the real story can be told.
The unnerving tension that simmered in two-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao?s camp due to a power struggle between two warring factions was the main source of distraction in his fight against Erik Morales in Las Vegas last March 19.
On one side was Pacquiao?s new management team led by New York businessman Shelly Finkel. On the other was New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad whom Pacquiao has accused of robbing him of his due pay-per-view share, estimated to be $3 Million, in the Morales bout.
The other day, Pacquiao admitted he lacked focus entering the fight because of the constant bickering and backbiting from Muhammad?s camp. Muhammad not only tried to disparage Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach but also foisted his hand-picked cutman Lenny de Jesus to sow intrigue in the corner.
Pacquiao said he suspects Muhammad had something to do with the unexplained disappearance of his medical records to discredit Roach, forcing the extraction of blood and an eye examination two days before the fight. He claimed the tests were done a month ago.
“Paano naman nawala ang mga records ko?” wondered Pacquiao. “Naka-computer lahat ?yon.”
Pacquiao said he raised the disappearance of the medical records not as an excuse for losing the fight but as an example of how tense the situation was in his camp because Muhammad was hot on Roach?s tail.
In the run-up to the fight, both factions constantly pulled on Pacquiao to take their side. To avoid a major flare-up, Pacquiao tried to pacify both camps.
There were other distractions.
Pacquiao couldn?t get enough rest in his MGM Grand Hotel room because visitors repeatedly knocked on his door for an audience, to pose for a photograph, to set his autograph, to badger him for tickets or to ask for money.
Worse, the hotel suite with two private rooms reserved for Pacquiao was taken by Muhammad.
When Pacquiao checked in, he was told by hotel attendants that his suite was already occupied by Muhammad. He was left to stay in a junior suite where visitors could peek into his room and he couldn?t get privacy while resting.
What bothered Pacquiao was the thought of Muhammad earning more than him from the fight.
Pacquiao said his purse was $1.75 Million, not $2.8 Million as previously speculated. He took $525,000 or 30 percent to pay for his back taxes owed since his first US fight in 2001. The back taxes amounted to $480,000 excluding penalties and interest. Then he paid 10 percent to Finkel, 5 percent to lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Khan, 10 percent to Roach and 5 percento assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez. Pacquiao withheld business manager Rod Nazario?s share of 10 percent
Fernandez gave P1 Million of his 5 percent share to Lito Mondejar who owns the L&M Gym in Sampaloc with Moy Lainez.
According to a reliable source, Pacquiao may be able to claim a refund from back taxes paid for fights in 2003 and 2004 but no longer for 2001 and 2002. He still has to pay taxes for his purse from the Morales fight.
“Tinatanggalan ng 30% ang premyo ko tuwing laban for taxes,” said Pacquiao. “Nasaan yung pera na itinabi? Nawawala. Kanya tuloy, may back taxes ako sa IRS.”
Pacquiao said he was left with a little less than $600,000 after paying off those with claims to a share of his purse for the Morales fight.
Pacquiao said he should?ve pocketed about $3 Million more as his rightful 40 percent share of the pay-per-view upside, like Morales. He accused Muhammad of taking it instead.
Muhammad?s camp said Pacquiao signed a contract stipulating a minimum purse of $500,000 so he should be more than content with his $1.75 Million purse. Whatever else Muhammad may gain from the fight is beside the point, the promoter?s defenders insisted.
But Pacquiao said under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act which seeks to protect a fighter?s interests, there should be full disclosure on the terms and conditions pertaining to a bout. He said Muhammad never informed him of what should be his 40 percent share of the pay-per-view upside or net of cable network expenses.
Pacquiao said he was in perfect physical condition for the fight and would?ve knocked out Morales if only he wasn?t cut over the right eye in the fifth round.
“Umagos ang dugo at hindi ko siya makita kanya si Morales palaging umiikot sa blind side ko,” recalled Pacquiao. “Mautak din siya. Noong 12th round, pabagsak na siya but hindi ko na-follow up, kasi hindi ko siya nakikita. Hindi lang tumulo ang dugo sa right eye ko, tumulo din sa left eye ko kaya pahid ako ng pahid sa dalawang mata ko.”
The cut changed the complexion of the fight and forced Pacquiao to abandon a planned body attack to go for a knockout because of the danger of the referee stopping the contest.
Pacquiao said in a rematch, he has no doubt he will beat Morales particularly as he will get more accustomed to the new weight in the 130-pound division after a tune-up bout in July.
Pacquiao added that he will train in a secluded place, free from distractions, for his next fight. He mentioned the Big Bear mountains in California as an option.
Pacquiao said the night before the fight, his hotel room phone kept ringing and no one would answer on the line. It was clearly a tactic meant to disrupt his rest. He said he was often roused from sleep by midnight calls from fans asking for fight tickets.
In all, Pacquiao said he paid for 70 fight tickets to give to friends and fans. He also paid for 15 round-trip airplane tickets from Manila to Las Vegas and back.
