Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, already one of the world’s most exciting and popular fighters, has signed up with big-time promoter Gary Shaw.
Pacquiao, arguably the most popular Filipino athlete today, will join Shaw’s impressive stable, which already includes champions Winky Wright and Jeff Lacy.
“As a promoter, you always hope to sign a ‘blue chip’ athlete who will win a world title. Today, I have signed a ‘platinum chip’ world-class champion whose persona transcends sports and approaches folklore in the Philippines,” Shaw said after enthusiastically disclosing Pacquiao’s signing on seconds.out.com.
Pacquiao, who holds a KO win over the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera and lost a 12-round battle to Mexican Erik Morales earlier this year, is up for another high-paying gig on Sept. 10 against another Mexican, Hector Velazquez, in a 12-round, super-featherweight bout.
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The Top Rank promotion is set at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.
Pacquiao, 39-3-2 with 31 knockouts, is rumored to make around $700,000 for fighting Velasquez (42-10-2, 31 KOs). The blockbuster double main event card also features Erik Morales (48-2, 34 KOs) against 1996 US Olympian Zahir Raheem (26-1, 16 KOs) in another 12-round, super-featherweight fight.
HBO will televise the card live.
“I feel privileged that Manny has chosen me as his promoter,” said Shaw. “Manny has a superb management team in Shelly Finkel, Nick Khan and Keith Davidson, as well as a Hall-of-Fame caliber trainer in Freddie Roach. I look forward to working together with them and I am truly honored that the team has placed its confidence in me.”
The always-quotable Shaw even unleashed a verbal jab at Pacquiao’s previous promoter, Murad Muhammad.
“One thing we already agree on: Manny will get the biggest hotel room,” Shaw said, obviously firing a subtle tirade at Muhammad, who occupied the MGM Grand suite that was supposed to be Pacquiao’s on the eve of the Morales fight.
