AMERICAN lawyer Keith Davidson said Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is “now his own boss” and that the latter is now turning a new leaf in his checkered but sometimes rocky professional boxing career.
Keith, a resident of Brockton in Massachusetts, said no more “shell corporation” to handle Manny’s finances and tax obligations in the United States.
Instead, two reputable US firms, Goodvi, Sussman & Openheimer and UBS, will now take care of the Filipino boxer’s tax obligations and investments, respectively, in the US.
Asked where much of Manny’s earning went, he said, “I would not feel comfortable talking about any of his personal life (including his finances).”
Davidson, who flew in early last week upon the invitation of Manny’s wife Jinky, said everything has been settled and that Pacquiao could now concentrate in his preparation for his September 10 bout with Mexican Hector Velasquez.
The American, who confessed it was his first time in General Santos, is a member of a team of lawyers who is now handling Manny’s boxing career.
Last month, he and Shelly Finkel, along with Judd Burnstein, represented Pacquiao in a multi-million damage suit which the latter filed against boxing promoter Murad Muhammad.
Muhammad opted for settlement before the jury could deliberate on the merits of the case.
The good-looking American lawyer still declined to reveal details of the out of court settlement although there are reports Murad agreed to pay $800,000 in exchange for the dropping of the $33-million damage suit.
In addition, Pacquiao also got $2 million richer as share of the HBO pay-per-view receipts that was withheld following the filing of the suit, which was reportedly released to him as a result of settlement.
Davidson insisted that Manny never shelled out any cash to his lawyers although Burnstein was earlier reported to have accepted the case on a contingent basis.
Davidson said the costs of the litigation, including attorney’s fees, were shouldered by Murad as part of the settlement.
Of Manny, Davidson jokingly said, their ward wore a big smile as soon as they got out of the courtroom.
Now, he disclosed, Manny gets to decide whom he will fight next.
“All business decision will (henceforth) be Manny’s. One hundred per cent,” he said in an exclusive interview at the Manny Pacquiao boxing gym owned by hotelier and trucker Rey Golingan.
Although Manny has no registered promoter at present, Davidson said he and Finkel will see to it that Manny only gets to fight quality fighters as their ward so desired.
He said Manny’s upcoming opponent is no patsy.
“He is ranked No. 10 by the World Boxing Council and his knockout ratio is high,” Davidson said in the presence of another Pacquiao lawyer, former city councilor Franklin Gacal Jr.
Best of shape
While interviewing Davidson, Manny was furiously skipping the ropes inside the gym.
Davidson expressed satisfaction over Manny’s superb condition even if the fight is still a month away by the time this issue sees print.
Manny earlier told a lean crowd gathered around him that he is just three pounds of the 130-lb junior lightweight limit.
“Nobody trains harder than Manny,” Davidson said.
He also defended his ward over reports of Manny’s lack discipline and alleged “wayward” attitude when not in training.
“Manny is a young man and sometimes has to enjoy his success,” he reasoned out.
But he said Manny is the most serious guy when he starts training.
Keith says they are not taking any of Pacquiao’s opponent for hence on.
“Any loss is devastating (to Manny’s boxing career),” he said.
Velasquez, according to him, is “one tough guy.”
Although Manny’s camp is not looking beyond the Velasquez bout slated for September 10 in Los Angeles, California, Davidson said the Filipino lefty will knockout Erik Morales if they get to fight each other again.
“Manny will knock him out,” he confidently beamed.
Asked what makes him think so, the amiable American said the next time around, Manny will no longer have distractions.
“Remember Manny fought with a bad cut, the first time they met. And with so many distractions (over his financial and promotional affairs), Manny was still able to give a good account of himself,” Davidson explained.
Manny, he said also probably over trained when he fought Morales. (Manny lost a unanimous but narrow decision to Morales last March in Las Vegas)
Morales and Pacquiao are slated to do a rematch of their classic encounter in January if both hurdle their respective opponents on September 10.
Both are featured in a doubleheader promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank boxing promotion.
Morales will square off with former US Olympic Team member Zahir Raheem.
Manny will earn $700,000 for his 12-round bout with Vleasquez. Not bad, according to Davidson.
“When he fought Marquez, he only got $600,000,” he said even as he pointed out that the Velasquez bout is a non-title one.
He now calls Manny his friend and partner.
You must be if you are invited to fly all the way from Massachusetts just to have dinner with Manny and his wife.
The two are scheduled to fly California this week where Manny will resume his rigid training under the watchful eye of long time coach Freddie Roach at the latter’s Wild Card Gym.
