January 23, 2009
Why Pacquiao Must Go For Plunge With Opponents On The Ropes!
By Michael Marley
When he’s got an opponent in trouble, Manny Pacquaio instinctively knows what to do.
He comes forward with fire and fury, pressing that advantage to the fullest.
That’s what the Pacman needs to do now as the haggling over the May 2 super bout with Ricky Hatton drags.
I see Bob Arum complaining about Megamanny and his inner circle “negotiating through the media.” That makes me laugh as American athletes and agents are experts in doing just that.
Uncle Bob is a master at the same. Sometimes, I think baseball uber agent Scott Boras has taken a page or two out of the Don King or Arum media playbooks.
Maybe Uncle needs to be reminded that pacman lawyer Franlin Jacal works for his client and is not in the employ of Top Rank. Ditto for adviser Wakee Salud.
Even the Candian recluse Michael Koncz seems to have taken Manny’s side in demanding more upside than the 50-50 revenue split Team Hatton offered.
Now the Hattonites offer Pacquiao a 52-48 money edge and expect him to jump for joy, grab a contact singing pen and begin the publicity tour. Manchester here we come!
This time around, though, Pacman and his boys have flipped the script. No longer the docile, pliant Pinoy, Pacquiao demands full value for services rendered and for his awesome in ring prior accomplishments.
I say go for it, Manny, go for the knockout. They’ve conceded the 52-48, they caved once and now you can easily get the 55-45 division of all the money.
If you go for the jugular, you’ll set a great precedent for yourself and maybe for a future Manny Pacquiao ring hero.
The Casper Milquetoasts will tell you to cut and run, to put your John Hancock on the paper before Ray Hatton and his Golden Boys snatch the new offer away.
Don’t give Hatton a chance to walk, the cowards say. Come on, the Hatton side does not have a Plan F let alone a Plan B.
They’ve got no royalty, only jokers in their deck. Last week, Hatton’s lawyer was going to sue you and now butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
Word is the Hatton camp, the Goldens and Arum are all “annoyed” that you did not roll over and take the 50-50.
Isn’t that shame. Maybe they can make a movie about that, perhaps call it “White Men Can’t Slump” or something.
You and your family won’t be getting any retirement benefits, 401K’s or pensions from multijillionaires named De La Hoya or Arum.
Arum’s been pulling in the promotional cash since Ali-Chuvalo, Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, 1966.
Uncle Bob is on a 43-year run. When every fight is over, he goes to the bank.
You’ve done good in standing up this time, Pacman.
Now you need to close the show and get your rightful, eminently fair 55-45 split.
The Hattons, the Goldens, Arum…they’re all on the ropes now, champ.
Press on like De La Hoya for his own purses and like Floyd Mayweather Jr. always does. Squeeze them while you can.
Don’t settle for a decision, go for the mercenary KO.
This has nothing to do with sports. This is all about a brutal business.



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