BOXING is again living to its reputation as a sleazy sport where hustlers and underworld characters abound, free loaders lurking and suckers are everywhere.
The latest twist in Manny Pacquiao’s storied boxing career again has come full circle.
Last week, it was reported that Pacquiao’s American triumvirate of managers — Shelly Finkel, Keith Davidson and Nick Khan — are suing boxing guru Wakee Salud and Gensan’s very own, lawyer Franklin ‘Jeng’ Gacal Jr.
Finkel and company accused Salud and Gacal of unduly influencing Pacquiao and contract interference in what appeared to be yet another managerial dispute.
The American managers of Pacquiao claimed the Filipino boxing icon was coerced into signing a disadvantageous contract with ABS-CBN in his upcoming bout with Mexican Oscar Larios.
Gacal, a long time confidante of Pacquiao, has yet to arrive in Gensan after accompanying the Filipino boxing idol to the United States.
Pacquiao has a live contract with Finkel and Co., which will not expire until January next year.
With only two fights left for the year, the July 2 bout with Larios and the grudge rematch with Erik Morales later this year, Finkel and Co. has every right to protect its business interests with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has had several managers during the course of his boxing career and has involved himself in several battles outside the ring.
One involved an acrimonious legal dispute with American promoter Murad Muhammad and erstwhile business manager Rod Nazario.
That one affected Manny’s concentration and preparation during his first fight with Morales. Pacquiao lost that fight but won the suit he filed against Murad and Nazario.
His lawyers in the civil suit filed in New York were from Finkel and Co.
Unknown to many, Gacal served as legal adviser to Manny during those trying periods.
It was Gacal who reviewed the terms and conditions of Finkel and Co. when the latter submitted a proposal for Manny’s legal suit with Murad.
Initially, Manny gave a six-figure (in dollar) acceptance fee plus a percentage in monetary reward that he will get from Murad should he win his case.
These terms and conditions were later amended.
My source said Manny and Finkel agreed to split whatever monetary consideration the American court would award him.
It was not made public how much Manny really got from Murad who agreed to settle the case.
But one has to assume Finkel and Co. got a bonanza and a bonus by way of managerial contract with Manny.
It was also Jeng who explained to Manny the nuances of his subsequent managerial contract with Finkel and Co.
Knowing Jeng, I could hardly imagine him interfering with Manny’s contract with Finkel and Co. unless he has reasons to do so.
Jeng was said to have met with Finkel and Co. when he and Salud were about to leave for the Philippines.
Upon arriving in Manila, Jeng told reporters Finkel offered to drop the suit, which was already obviously filed, if Manny agrees to several contract options.
Well, it is too early to offer any opinion on the matter as we have not seen all the evidence and heard the circumstances from Jeng himself.
But Manny’s coach Freddie Roach said the timing of Finkel and Co.’s suit is anything bad timing.
It will undoubtedly affect Manny’s preparation.
Somebody must have learned from Manny’s previous brush with his former managers and are hoping to cash in on it.
Well, Manny also learned his lessons from his defeat to Morales.
Somebody should tell Finkel and Co. that.
