WITH HIS tenure as Manny Pacquiao’s manager on the line, American promoter Shelley Finkel recently made what seems like a product presentation to save his job with the Filipino boxer, saying that should he be retained as his US representative he will make sure that Pacquiao will attain the legendary status of Oscar de la Hoya.
During a recent interview, Finkel said his goal is to make Manny such a superstar that the opponents will no longer be important. What will be important is for fans to simply see him fight, like what it is for Oscar (De La Hoya), said Finkel.
“I want to get Manny into that position that everyone wants to see Manny,” said Finkel, who is wooing Pacquiao to extend his managerial contract which expires in January next year.
Finkel, who will arrive with the Filipino icon today from Los Angeles, is using the carrot and stick approach to make Pacquiao sign again.
A few weeks ago, Finkel, along with his associates Nicholas Khan and Keith Davidson, filed a breach of contract case against two of the boxer’s closest advisers, seeking a total of $ 18 million in damages.
The case arose from the signing of a promotional contract by Pacquiao’s Filipino group with ABS-CBN for the staging of the July 2 match with Oscar Larios.
Finkel said his group was not informed, or was left out of the negotiations, for the promotions which he said violated their contract.
Pacquiao was originally listed as one of the respondents but when filed last month, only Wakee Salud and Frankin Gacal were named respondents.
But a few days ago, Finkel announced that the case had been dropped with prejudice, meaning it will never be refiled in the future.
That ploy was obviously meant to assure Pacquiao that his American handlers meant no harm and that they will be there for his future prosperity.
“Manny’s life has been very good since we have been involved and I just want to do what’s good for Manny first and if I am doing the right thing for Manny, I am doing the right thing for myself,” said Finkel, whose group took over from New Jersey’s Murad Muhammad and Filipino Rod Nazario in March 2005.
“Take a look at Manny in March 2005 and look at him in January 2006, 10 months later with a new management team and judge for yourself. Did we make a big difference in this man’s life?” asked Finkel, sounding confident that he has lived to expectations as the brains behind Pacquiao’s meteoric rise.
As to Pacquiao’s July 2 battle with Larios at the Araneta Coliseum, Finkel said he sees Pacquiao getting past the Mexican bomber without a sweat that will position himself well for the financially-rewarding rubber match with Erik Morales on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas.
“He is going to be very dominant against Larios. I just think anyone can take it at 130 lbs. The speed and power are just awesome and he is coming in the best years of his life,” added Finkel.
Despite signs that Pacquiao and his US handlers are gowing apart, Finkel and his gang are among those who arrived with the boxer this morning.
His 14-member entourage also includes trainer Freddie Roach, cornerman Buboy Fernandez, Los Angeles-based adviser Joe Ramos and ex-world champion Gerry Pe?alosa, who is seeing action in the Big Dome undercard.
Pacquiao took the Philippine Airlines 113 flight that will touch down at 5 a.m. at the Centennial Airport where Manila Mayor Lito Atienza will be waiting to welcome the GenSan southpaw who trained at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood since May 18.
Atienza will then bring Pacquiao to the historic Manila Hotel so he could rest in preparation for an early-afternoon workout tentatively set at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
From The Manila Hotel, Pacquiao will transfer to The Diamond Hotel but will reside at The Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Pasig, two days before the fight due to its proximity to the Araneta Coliseum.
Also joining Pacquiao’s group are two Russians, one of them, Rustam Nugaev, a sparmate, is being eyed to battle Filipino Dennis Laurente in a 10-round special attraction.
