After a brief respite from the fight scene, let me resume my watch on our hard-punching Manny Pacquiao coming after his smashing kayo of the ambitious Mexican, Jorge Solis at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Pacquiao’s pre-fight regimen was near perfect what with deputy trainors Justin Fortune, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri providing commendable training despite the absence of head coach Freddie Roach who eventually called the shots at fightnight resulting in a brutal knockout in the eighth round of the gutsy Mexican from Guadalajara.

Exacting dominant performance from his sparring mates, Manny did hang a tidy loss to the unbeaten Solis– claims to the contrary by his henchmen–notwithstanding.

Quite a convincing display of the Pacman’s fire power that virtually enhanced his political bid in the first congressional district of South Cotabato.

Solis insisted that not all of the attention paid to the relentless punching Pacquiao could deter him from pulling an upset.. But it did’nt pan out the way he wanted it as the boxer/politician made total wreck of whatever fight plans the game Mexican brought to the dance.

Solis is as good every bit of the hype that surrounded him when it was announced that he’s the genuine article– until he came face to face with the Pinoy marvel during his first media encounter at an L.A.gym.

“Solis with his undefeated slate had us a bit perplexed during his training. Turns out he ain’t as advertized,” cried a Pacquiao lieutenant after seeing the latest attempt to unsettle the congressional aspirant of the first district of GenSan,Cotabato.

Manny Pacquiao, was comfortable not only on his assignment with the audacious MexTex but more adjusted and relaxed on his other foe—Darlene Custodio, who’s defending her political hold in the first congressional district that includes General Santos, Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.

Manny was totally focused on his fight with Jorge and has started sorting out facets of his political strategy for the campaign after prevailing in the Alamo shootout.

“I beat my ring foe decisively and and will administer the same to my political rival” was the Filipino sensation’s parting shot before flying home to his supporters.

Seeing what the gifted slugger can do to what he calls his twin killings, I’ve no doubt he’ll come out unscathed after the political smoke clears.

None of his boast is big deal as they say except that we are talking of a campaigner who is odds on to become one of our country’s biggest names— fistically or politically.

“In the same way the magicians are intrigued by Houdini, golfers look to 9-time golf major winner Ben Hogan as the ultimate golfing genius: the most skillful swinger and shot maker of all time”

“William Benjamin Hogan is what Mozart is to music, Einstein is to science and Muhammad Ali is to boxing.”
—John Andrisani, Golf Digest Editor.

The same could be said of boxing superstar and amateur golfer Oscar de la Hoya on his boxing know how deemed by fighters and afficionados as “pure genius” creating through boxing experience the megawatt Golden Boy Promotions.

What the Ben Hogan Golf Company is to golf Golden Boy Promotions is to boxing—-parallel success stories transcending sports and business.

San Francisco’s City Hall was abuzz as Oscar dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr.—boxing’s latest legends– bared the specifics on boxing’s version of swinging and shot making before an appreciative crowd anxious to know more about their May 5 outing at Vegas’ MGM Grand Casino.

First to tee off was the brash Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather, Jr.who thanked his fans for the opportunity and promptly bragged that he’s the world’s best—pound-for-pound.

Conciliatory and respectful (unusual for Floyd), the Pretty Boy enthused, “I’d like to thank Oscar for the chance to beat him up. I am looking forward to doing future business with his Golden Boy Promotions.”

Quite a contrast to their earlier meetings with media when Floyd accused Oscar of throwing his fight against Bernard Hopkins.

Doing his own impression of ‘The Greatest’ ,Floyd Jr. was an absolute thrash talker at the stare down with his saliva-laden yammering on target at the nattily-dressed de la Hoya.

The Golden Boy stood bemused with stares that reminded everyone he is the promoter and the fighter to give him a “beat down”.

The month before, The Golf Channel featured Oscar hitting 250-yard drives and sinking 10 ft putts at the Bob Hope Classic. Playing partners Jesper Parnevik and tournament host and Oscar’s buddy George Lopez helped hold Oscar’s belt as he chipped out of a sloped incline for a save.

By contrast, Floyd looked as if he was set to break dance— rapping and gesturing like a hip hop mogul while counting ‘wads of ‘greenbucks’.

The slugging Golden Boy vs boxing’s Pretty Boy are set to dish out one of the greatest if not the greatest fights of all time—-Old School vs New, Pomp-and-circumstance, Style vs substance….you name it.

The favored de la Hoya is now deep in training with his new cornerman Freddie Roach in  Puerto Rico, where he awaits two of his favored hopefuls, Ray “Boom Boom” Bautista and Alex John ” AJ” Banal in the much-awaited card aptly tagged “The World Awaits.”

The unbeaten Rey, dubbed “Boom Boom” is matched against an equally undefeated Argentine Sergio Miguel Medina in a stellar support of the sold out classic.

AJ Banal is being groomed to tangle with Argentina’s IBF international super-flyweight champion — Sergio Santillan.

“Having witnessed how valiant Gerry Penalosa measured up to Daniel Ponce de Leon, I think Ray is ready for the world championship. But first he has to take care of Medina,” boxingman Hermie Rivera declared.

“As for AJ, Oscar saw a world beater and promptly signed him up.” Rivera added.

Tony Aldeguer’s mainstays at his renowned stable are now training at the Wild Card Gym and then onwards to San Juan, PR where ‘trainer of the year’ Roach awaits them for the concluding grind while ‘The World Awaits”.

By Hermie Rivera

Through most of 2006, Manny Pacquiao was in the spotlight, chased by boxing’s top guns for the right to stage his megabuck fights.

A flick of his fingers lines up guys to his mansion for his signature to multi-million dollar fight contracts.

Pacquiao chose Top Rank’s Bob Arum to act as his promoter— much to the consternation of Oscar de la Hoya, an early favorite in the tug of war of two of boxing’s prime movers.

While Arum snagged Manny’s support for now, the Pacman wanted Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch but was shelved due to the proximity of Oscar de la Hoya’s ‘Cinco de Mayo encuentro’ with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Marco Antonio, the current WBC super featherweight ruler fights for the Golden Boy Promotions. Fact is, he co-promotes his fights with Oscar and so with the rest of the GBP fighters.

Manny’s move to sign up with Bob Arum deprives Oscar’s outfit the opportunity of staging what Barrera fans have been clamoring for; a chance for redemption of their idol since his fall at the hands of the Filipino ring ‘incomparable’ at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

Pshaw! A rare treat for those aching for the rematch capped by an ‘adios’ fight Oscar has penciled against Floyd Jr. on May 5. One of de la Hoya’s treat for Filipino fans as it involves some of our country’s rising stars headed by Ray Boom Boom Bautista, Tony Aldeguer’s unbeaten star.

Pacquiao, last year’s huge boxing free agent is typically unaffected by all the fuss.

The Filipino boxing hero is busy cashing in on the huge outlay Arum has earmarked for our ring idol who, as of this writing, is awaiting Arum’s promised bonanza..

He’ll plunge headlong into training if his meeting with the Mexican champ is salvaged somehow.

A mean feat I say since the rift between Arum and de la Hoya has irretrievably widened what with the announced pairing of Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera in the March 17 championship card at Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas,Nevada.

I wonder how the guys at HBO are taking these mind-boggling developments.

Rumors swirled, speculation and downright misinformation abound as to the route Manny will take even as high-profiled promoters pursued him.

Not even Arum’s repeated claim of an airtight contract with Manny could dissuade other promoters from making a grab of what’s left to take.

Since Manny has no plans of growing heavier and is sticking to his current weight class. the rematch with Barrera remains the only option of Arum to make good his vow of generous commitment to our boxing great– else he is toast.

The other factor vexing Bob is the dearth of talents in his bull pen. Oscar has corraled most if not all of the viable super-featherweight contenders.

So that if one insists on a Barrera/Pacquiao rematch, de la Hoya’s group must be in the mix otherwise there’ll be no meaningful fight for the new year to begin with.

One of Arum’s fighters who is undefeated in 22 fights by knockout is the Venezuelan Edwin Valero.

He is being touted as Pacquiao’s opponent in Macau (courtesy of Steve Wynn) and so with a ringster named Humberto Sotto. The latest entrant to the Macau card is Korea’s InJin Chi.

Manny is not impressed at all.

“Valero’s KO victims” says the GenSan knockout artist are “certified tuktuk drivers of Bangkok.”

So there.

Paquiao’s conquest of Morales means Barrera is next

Some ten months to the day Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao knocked out Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales, the Filipino boxing hero was once again in Las Vegas pulverizing the Mexican’s noggin’ to put his chief rival away for keeps at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Manny’s vicious KO of Erik has clinched for Marco Antonio Barrera his rematch with his Filipino tormentor assuming his feuding promoters will arrive at a compromise on the cases filed in two Nevada courts.

Thus far, it has been a busy year with enviable wins for the Pinoy icon capped by his second kayo of the once feared Mexican ringster.

So devastating was Pacquiao’s victory that Morales had to sue for time while mulling over his retirement.

Keep in mind that there was an offer by Pacquiao for Morales to call it a day once it was made clear that Erik’s career will not go anywhere while the Pacman stays on in their weight class.

Morales’ workouts leading to the ‘finale’ with Pacquiao was excellent yet he fared badly when confronted by the hard hitting Filipino super-featherweight.

There was absolutely no doubting as to who was the boss as soon as Manny trotted out of the gates with a Secretariat-like start–banging away merrily at the gutsy Mexican until he cried ‘Uncle’ or was it Papa’.

Manny’s jabs, hooks and straights did Erik in, leading viewers to wonder how Erik could survive the heavy-handed pasting he took in the early rounds.

Well done!

Now, a new set of wannabes are raring to test the mettle of the newest king of the ring

The line forms to the right gentlemen.

But this will take awhile for the GenSan hitman will have to give her daughter a sweet hug, before going to the courts for a resolution of the latest imbroglio involving his warring promoters — Oscar de la Hoya vs Bob Arum.

And that’s how it is with the most sought-after campaigner in the super-featherweight division.

As of now, the courts have yet to rule on who has the right to promote Pacquaio’s next million-dollar fight.

January 21 2006 saw Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao score a scintillating stoppage of Eric ‘El Terrible’ Morales in a fight he was’nt expected to win.

At the time he knocked out the Mexican three-division champ, Pacman was a just a foe who unexpectedly dealt Tijuana’s fight mogul his first debacle.

Pacquiao was awesome as he tore to shreds Morales’ shaky defense in that memorable Las Vegas outing. .

Ten months earlier at the MGM Grand, Morales beat Paquiao despite Pacman’s torrid surge which fell short in the late rounds

For the third time in their storied calling, the Filipino ring idol and the ‘terrible Mex’ will slug it out at Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center to conclude their mutual hostility– with the winner claiming a commendable notice of acceptance as the new people’s champion.

Unlike in their previous meeting, Morales this time did a more rigorous session with his resurrected posse, boasting of a problem-free training regimen.

No agitating weight distress on their Nov. 18 mega-fight? Nada, insists El Mexicano, since a high-priced fine is dangling over his excess weight which even a dollar-rich Erik would find it stiff to meet.

The mauler from boxing crazy Mexico is on a mission to reclaim lost dignity caused by that irksome loss he suffered the last time he brawled with the Filipino hitman.

With his hot runs halted, (losing three of his last four fights), Morales is cautiously hanging to a thread of vengeance hoping for a win to ease the torment he has been plagued with since his embarrassing KO by the Filipino ring hero.

Manny went on a tear at the Holywood Wild Card gym where his gang of sparmates fed him a dose of hard drives for the tough grind ahead.

Brisk sparring sessions capped by enormous banging of the mitts, bags and crazy balls plus the obligatory sit-ups, push-ups and road works negotiated in his own ‘Otomi’ running grounds completed Pacquiao’s preparations.

Barring last minute hitches, Manny’s awaited win over Erik will net him the prized pudding of their trilogy which could rid him of a rival who once rudely interrupted his comeback.

As we near the riveting phase of the Grand Finale, any slip-ups Pacquiao makes will consign to oblivion the new fortune pledged by his new promoter Oscar de la Hoya.

And as we move closer to this intriguing finale, Morales’ band of loyalists are keeping a close tab on Oscar’s move to have his renowned skills incorporated in Manny’s dexterous arsenal.

That’s the crease that’s distressing the gutsy Mexican as he traverse the biggest challenge of his checkered course..

Keep in mind that Manny even without Oscar read Erik well in their last encounter.

Thus a new twist of concern for Erik as he lusts for revenge in a rubber bout that’s drawing exciting interests?

A cause for alarm for Senor Morales? Or a distressful annoyance that will go away once the antsy combatants pour it on in their ‘final combattere.?

The Pacman for sure will start fast with wicked left or right hooks mixing it well with his straights and potent body shots. El Terrible will meet him head-on with his savage counter-blows forcing Manny to cut loose with his sharper punches.This– to slow down a very vengeful Erik.

Morales can make this fascinating scenario happen if he’s been able to acquire in his truncated training his choice weapon of destruction.

It will take awhile to see this kind of a brutal yet lovely thriller again.

See ya at the fight.

The man credited for the rise of former two-time world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa sincerely believes Erik Morales won’t make the weight in his upcoming fight with Manny Pacquiao.

At the most, according to veteran boxing analyst Hermie Rivera, the two will battle it out at a catch weight of 132 pounds when they meet for the third time at the Thomas Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Nov. 18 (Nov 19. Manila time)

“Mahihirapan siya,” said Rivera, referring to Morales’ effort to trim down to the super-featherweight limit of 130 pounds.

“Assuming he makes the weight, pero mahihirapang maka-recover yan.”

During the 30-day pre-fight weigh-in, the 30-year old native of Tijuana came in at 142 lbs. giving him less than a month to shed the unwanted pounds and make the limit.

“That’s the reason why Bob Arum (who promotes Morales and the fight itself under his Top Rank Promotions) is moving heaven and earth to save the match by having Manny fight Erik at 132 lbs.” said Rivera, the manager of Espinosa when he reigned as World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

“They won’t mind paying the fine,” he said , aware of the special clause in the fight contract stipulating that Morales pays $500,000 for every excess poundage.

Rivera compared the case of Morales to a similar experience with Espinosa during his futile comeback attempt in 2002 against former US Olympian Zahir Raheem in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“We we’re three-pounds over the weight (126 pounds) a day before the fight. But Louie made it by doing six rounds of Shadow Boxing and skipping ropes,” he recalled.

“We had a great start during the fight. Luisito even knocked Raheem down in the second round. Pero pagdating ng fifth, naubusan na kami. Raheem won that fight with an 8th round stoppage,” said Rivera.

Incidentally, Raheem also dealt Morales a second beating when they fought a year ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles by scoring a unanimous decision win.

Rivera also remembered that Espinosa was over the weight limit when he fought Khaokur Galaxy for the WBA championship in 1989 in Bangkok, but was able to tip the scale at 118 pounds through ‘diet and rigorous workouts.”

“Besides, Espinosa kayoed Galaxy in just 90 seconds, so walang naging problema dun,” he stressed.

A similar weight issue hounded the Espinosa camp when he defended his title at the Araneta Coliseum two years later against Israel Contreras of Venezuela in a match won by the Venezuelan after knocking out the highly drained Filipino in the fifth round.

“Also Luisito had been newly married, kaya hindi rin ganun ka-concentrated ‘yung training nya,” Rivera said.

“But I’ve seen him (Espinosa) suffered trying to make the weight in several of his fights.”

He sees the same debacle happening to Morales.

“The drastic reduction in weight could take it’s toll on Morales and that’s the most difficult part. How will Morales be able to retain his power and stamina in the late rounds?” Rivera added.

Weighed-in by the WBC, Pacquiao came in at 138 pounds, a weight which doesn’t even bother Rivera.

“At the most, Manny may be 136 pounds now. And I think kaya niyang i-program ‘yung weight niya, so there’s no problem there at all,” he said.

Rivera, boxing man and part-time broadcaster expects Morales to come out fast right on opening bell in his attempts to end the fight early or pile up the necessary points.

But he sees the Filipino lefty from General Santos City breaking Morales apart early on, before delivering the coup de grace in the later rounds, in the same manner Pacquiao did when he scored a 10th round technical knockout over the Mexican warrior in their rematch last January also in Las Vegas.

Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales, a hard working–multi-titled -champ gets a final stab at redemption when he takes on Manny ’Pacman‘ Pacquiao to close out their fancied trilogy in Las Vegas, Nevada..

November 18th is when Erik engages Manny in a crucial bid to evade ignominy against a rival who wants him out of the fight scene earlier than usual.

That has been the fixed purpose of Pacquiao since knocking out Morales in their rematch that fattened his money chests— a fortune in U.S. dollars earned in such a mega-fight.

“Eric Morales should never be allowed to upset the applecart!” That’s Team Paquiao’s latest battlecry resonating at the Wild Card gym of chief trainer Freddie Roach as they step up their drive for a decisive win in this budding opus.

What a way to end it– a knockout like what Manny fashioned out against an outclassed Erik

Now, who of the two warriors can get the edge once they go for the jugular? Or who’s likely to fall into a trap they’ll be conjuring in between swaps of heavy blows that’s certain to thrill the legions who’ll be watching live at the site or on broadcast outlets. Not to mention the fans willing to go hungry while waiting for the free TVcast..

”End it the best way possible, a knockout we should all expect after the 6th round” barks Freddie during a torrid session with his ward at his Hollywood training pad. A sure route to further Manny’s stardom if executed properly, right?

But like any displeased loser, Erik is most insistent his ‘kayo’ by the Pacman was all about a flawed set-up with a new team sans his Papa Jose who was conspicuously missing during those crucial sessions.

Morales’ presence is assured by his troupe at the Thomas and Mack Center where he wants to wreck whatever countermarch Pacquiao has ordered for the match.

Undaunted by taunts of a beating from Pacman’s camp, the Tijuana fight mogul says “he’ll do the punching in the ring for a conclusive ending.”

A slimmed-down Erik has been paraded by his handlers in in a bid to tone down the nagging bombast on his supposed weight worries.

“What we’ve come to know” cried an observer on Erik’s first official try at the scales,“is an anxious fighter raring to go after his Filipino tormentor pronto.”

By the way, Manny remains the bettors favorite in this rubber bout that should usher in a generous serving of fistic skills and know how.

“This is the fight I’ve always wanted–Pacquiao’s singing notwithstanding,” Morales intoned during a rare chat with ace reporter Dyan Castillejo at his Otomi Mountain camp.

Now do tell me how Erik can gain grounds with Manny threatening to expose a weapon that could run roughshod on his preparations.?

Will El Mexicano lose his edge (if any) once the Filipino hero unloads his ‘ugly’ singing at the weigh-in?

Not to worry folks.There is nothing to suggest that the “Grand Finale” will be unbearably dull knowing that both Pacquiao and Morales have been delivering the same action-filled slugfest we’ve all come to admire.

THE much-awaited 12-round showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, is almost at hand.

As we approach the fight date of Nov. 18 (19th Manila time), reporters and fans are still unsure as to who has the edge in the final deal of this intriguing trilogy.

I guess you would be, too, if you count yourself part of a large throng salivating for a seat in boxing’s newest heaven—the Thomas and Mack Center—where Morales tumbled to submission courtesy of a 10th round knockout by the hitman from GenSan, Cotabato.

Before that, Morales halted Pacquiao’s winning streak in March of last year, an outstanding feat that put a dent on Pacman’s winning form throughout much of his comeback.

But the Filipino boxing idol avenged his painful loss with aplomb—dealing the Mexican three-time champ the only knockout loss of his career.

Now I am distressed to learn of the impending trip of some sports officials all packed and ready to go for this Vegas spectacle at Pacquiao’s expense.

Favored Games and Amusements board officers have finalized their itinerary, unmindful of the need to look for ways to help our boxers needing assistance as mandated by their charter.

“They could’nt care less for as long as they are snugly ensconced at ringside for such boxing rarity” complained a disgusted taxpayer.

Never mind if their presence is needed here to afford them a chance at lobbying for a professional boxing act that could set safety standards for our pugilists.

Not even health insurance is provided for our great unwashed, and the much needed protection for our fighters from absconding promoters is non existent under the current set-up.

Worse, this agency does not implement its own regulation covering purses which provides that prize money of contending parties must be paid in full before a championship match is executed.

Case in point: Luisito Espinosa’s 1997 unpaid purse of $150,000 owed to the boxer by the promoters led by ex Gov. Larry de Pedro, Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar in that regrettable title setto in Koronadal, South Cotabato

What we’ve been treated to is the spectacle of GAB subalterns headed by their top honchos, consistently touring sites of dubious fight organizations.

These modern-day Marco Polos have been at it since heaven-knows-when, circumnavigating the various boxing capitals instead of finding ways to help solve problems bedeviling the fight game.

It would also do well for everyone to keep track of the continued pilgrimage of our gallivanting politicos who splurge at the fabulous sights and sounds of glitzy Vegas at any given Pacquiao fight.

The same aggregation who’ve done nothing to help our bold practitioners of the art—our ambassadors who’ve brought honor and pride to the country.

What we are left to stare at is our helpless band of ring campaigners who’ve been utterly neglected by heartless souls who abound in what the late Jimmy Cannon calls “the red light district of sports.”

Sound management is critical to the health of an organization, office or association. Sadly, the country is saddled with an agency that has outlived its usefulness.

About time a more robust sports body is created, one that could give a much needed-breath of fresh air to our hapless prizefighters. Any takers?

IT used to he fought bare-knuckled until it evolved into a more civilized struggle.

And since its gradual change into what is now perceived as a sweet science, boxing has provoked writers to chronicle its finest moments as well as its not so wholesome side.

The case of Marco Antonio Barrera, unbeaten since Manny Pacquiao showed him the door in their Texas battle, is an issue that refuses to go away. It has attracted undeserved attention from a handful of scribes running out of pegs to angle their releases.

Despite Marco’s splendid rebound since his loss to the Pacman, some anti-Barrera forces and a columnist or two, remain oblivious to the drubbings he dealt Paulie Ayala. Still a few aren’t convinced even with his sterling wins over his bitter rival Erik Morales.

Not even the brutal stoppage of Mzonke Fana, capped by decisions of the game Rocky Juarez and Robbie Peden could soften their bias on a return go with the Philippine idol.

Morales, whom Barrera beat twice in three of their title matches, holds a grudging acceptance of the result of their own trilogy thus posing no objection to the planned March 2007 Pacquiao-Barrera outing.

But why are we ahead of our story which should be that ‘Grand Finale,’ starring Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Erik “El Terrible” Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. l8 (19 Manila time).

This early, Pacquiao’s fans are wondering how their idol is doing sans the distractions that usually attend his camp since being quartered by his trainer Freddie Roach.

So far so good, as of Manny’s last sighting at the Hollywood Wild Card gym where he has begun beating up his sparmates.

Manny’s acquisition of the boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya continues to reap headlines (by the way), leading his minions to conclude that a miracle is the only way by which Erik can avenge his loss to the Filipino icon, who possesses an obsessive ability to make a permanent mark if his career is at stake.

For Morales, no problemo as far as weight woes are concerned, or so his handlers claim. He has seen to it that the lead time he put in at a Los Angeles fitness center is enough to save him tons of ‘greens’ he must shell out in case he fails to meet the required 130-pound limit.

If there’s a fighter somewhere intent in avenging the only knockout loss of his career–that would be Erik right? And he can do that if his sleep these nights is not broken by nightmares of his 10th-round knockout by Manny last January.

But how would Erik’s weight loss program affect his performance when the Pac Man he’ll be tangling with is hassle-free from his ubiquitous bosses, with the matchless boon—Oscar De La Hoya—now in his corner to boot?

Will Morales be retaining the power of his punches which he routinely throws in bunches? Or the ordeal of constant dieting and other weight-sapping exercises be just too much once he goes into his most arduous task—that of dealing a fast beating of the Filipino superman?

Less than two months into the fight, Pacquiao has emerged the early favorite in a posting that could sway into Morales’ way if he winds up with a better camp performance.

Two great fighters fighting for honors and money for their respective countries.

“Gone is the unpolished Manny,” says coach Freddie. “A compleat slugger is what Erik will get,” Roach continues as they rev up their grind against a foe who’s no slouch either—a Morales who’s dead set in battling his bane of extra poundage in a daring bid to check in—problem-free—for the Grand Finale. Stay tuned.

WANT a crack at managing Manny Pacquiao’s millions?

You have to join a high-stakes game of musical chairs.

That’s what the mayor of Manila and the guy admirers call the local clone of Howard Cosell—Muhammad Ali’s favorite broadcaster—are looking into.

Hizzoner Lito Atienza, Pacquiao’s chief adviser, and boxing man Hermie Rivera are shuffling and circling with the other players. Their aim is to snag the last chair when the tune stops.

Rivera reveals that their aim is for Manny to agree on a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions owned by the legendary Oscar de la Hoya.

Ostensibly, the move is to ensure the financial solvency of the highest-paid Filipino boxer of all time.

“I can’t wait to leave for Los Angeles since I’d like to be around when the t’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted on an agreement if ever there is going to be one,” said Rivera at the end of a recent “goat together” with friends in his Quezon City house.

Interestingly, the Mexican American de la Hoya—pay per view television’s biggest draw—is one of only a handful of boxers in history who chose to shoulder promotional burdens while still active.

If that is not concern for his band of brothers in the ring, what is?

The Golden Boy, still fighting as a junior middleweight, handles a stable that includes the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley and two fighters Pacquiao vanquished in the past—Marco Antonio Barrera and Oscar Larios. Two of the brightest stars of the ALA boxing gym of Tony Aldeguer, Ray Boom Boom Bautista and AJ Banal, are also with the Golden Boy Promotions.

Oscar de la Hoya as promoter is poised to give Pacquiao a fresh start in so far as fiscal matters are concerned.

Rivera says the objective for the long haul is to “make golden the remaining days of Manny’s title shots” after his grand finale with Erik Morales at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 18th.

“Let’s face it, Pacquiao has always been saddled with operators out to clean his clock,” says Rivera.

“Fact is, his last two promoters had to leave ingloriously owing to their penchant for Manny’s ’ ‘moneys.’”

It is coincidental that one of these managers (Rod Nazario) still has to pay Rivera’s former charge, ex-two time world champion Luisito Espinosa a world championship purse from nine years ago.

To his American management players and the big-time Las Vegas promoter currently handling the Filipino champion before he gets free from their managerial hold—Rivera asks for transparency.

Observed Rivera:

“A firewall in the Muhammad Ali Boxing Act prohibits promoters from having a direct or indirect financial interest in the management of a boxer. Specifically, it is illegal to be employed by or receive compensation or other benefits from a promoter except for amounts received as consideration under the managers contract with the boxer—the proviso inversely applies to managers.”

In the first two Morales-Pacquiao encounters, as well as the fight with Larios, the Ali Act was grossly violated.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars changed hands among the handlers, says Rivera. And guess who wound up footing the bill?

“For the second Pacquiao-Morales fight, the preposterous expenses included a record-breaking one-time fee of $50,000 to an English language interpreter for the Filipino boxer,” says Hermie. “Guess who footed the bill? And who does the interpreting really for Manny? Don’t answer that one.”

“How their cut from the $3 million (pay per view income not included) that the General Santos fighter will get for the Pacquiao-Morales III, will be divvied up among his posse remains to be seen and explained” Rivera concluded.

Sports Note: Better late than never to say farewell to former Information Minister Greg Cendana. Manong Oyo, who died recently was a true friend and a great boss. He rescued a former newsman from the depths of underemployment and gave him the chance to revive his broadcast career in Los Angeles as a Philippine network television correspondent and local Filipino news hour anchor.
(PDI)