Manny Pacquiao must be under tremendous pressure at this time from Filipino boxing promoters and managers for not heeding their call to censure his Canadian adviser Michael Koncz over certain issues concerning the plight of aspiring Filipino boxers.
Boxing fans and supporters of Pacquiao have turned to social media in denouncing Koncz for his reported unfair treatment and lack of support for Filipino boxers, especially those who are fighting under MP Promotions, the boxing promotions company that he manages for Pacquiao.
Koncz had been denounced many times in the past by local boxing stakeholders for mismanaging boxers under the MP Promotions umbrella as well as other Filipino boxers who want to be included in the undercard of Pacquiao’s fights in the US. The case of Filipino aspiring boxer Ernie Sanchez, who was sidelined in favor of a Mexican fighter despite a reported signed contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank (TR) promotions, is one example of utter disregard for fairness in treating aspiring Filipino boxers.
Two days before his flight to the US to prepare for the fight, Sanchez got news that he was dropped by TR upon request of Koncz. Sanchez was scheduled to face Diego Magdaleno, another Top Rank fighter who knocked out Jorge Pazos in the 4th round of a lightweight 10-rounder Saturday. Pazos is the replacement in the card for Sanchez. Koncz claimed that Sanchez was of no match against Magdaleno in the 10-rounder event. But why did Top Rank signed in Sanchez in the first place if it was not sure of the capability of the Filipino boxer? Brico Santig of Highland Boxing and Manager of Sanchez said that the reason for the abrupt cancellation of the fight was that Koncz is claiming managerial and monetary rights over Sanchez. Read more of the Sanchez debacle here. Koncz has been denounced by other promoters and other stakeholders including Nonito Donaire’s wife Rachel, who claimed that Koncz did similar action that prevented her husband from fighting in Pacquiao’s undercard. Read more. Despite of Koncz seeming indifference to Filipino boxers and promoters as well as his reported rift over some members of Pacquiao’s team, Pacquiao has refused to fire Koncz, who has been tagged by fans as Arum’s shadow in Team Pacquiao. Seemingly, Koncz knows too much about Pacquiao’s secrets which when divulged to the public, can alter Pacquiao’s angelic reputation as top role model for people to emulate. It is also possible that Pacquiao is being prevented by Arum to fire Koncz so as not to jeopardize the ongoing tax probe by the IRS and BIR on Pacquiao’s tax liabilities. Brad Cooney, a longtime sports analyst and writer said Koncz will most likely survive the crises he is facing in the wake of the ongoing controversies. Read Cooney’s article here.
Photo by Frederick Manligas Nacino Manny Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach at Pacquiao’s Christmas and birthday bash. Like this image5 Journalist and Sports Program Host Chino Trinidad, who became one of Pacquiaos closest friends in media who covered many of Pacquiao’s fights in the country and abroad, has been calling on Pacquiao to censure or even fire Koncz for his misdeeds while acting as his adviser and manager of MP Promotions. Trinidad, who had known Pacquiao since the early days of his professional career almost 20 years ago, said that the Filipino star seems to have changed in time, close of saying he’s no longer the same Pacquiao he knew 19 years ago. In his Facebook page, Trinidad posted: “Hoping to see the “real” Manny Pacquiao again.” “As darkness continues to hover above Manny Pacquiao’s head, I pray that one day I will still get to see the man I met 19 years ago,” said Trinidad, who has been known in media for his truth advocacy in journalism. “But until then the #FightForTruth continues!” he added. Trinidad hopes Pacquiao will break his silence over the long recurring issues against his adviser, saying the fighting congressman must stop his adviser and promoter from peddling lies to advance their own selfish interests.
