By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The giant Philippine network ABS-CBN which put up $4 million for the showdown between Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and former two-time super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios is hoping that the internal problems within the Pacquiao camp will be settled soon and that it wont affect the much-publicized Mano-A-Mano fight card at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.
ABS- CBN vice president for sports Peter Musngi told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the problem was "something internal and we pray for the best and hope a resolution can be found" in reference to a civil case filed against Pacquiao's advisers, lawyer Franklin "Jing" Gacal and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud by Pacquiao's American management team of Shelly Finkel. Nick Kahn and Keith Davidson.
Pacquiao's management team charged Gacal and Salud with allegedly interfering in the contractual relations of Pacquiao and advising him to enter into a contract with ABS-CBN that was supposedly disadvantageous and engaging in unfair business practices and accused Gacal of practicing law in the US without a license.
The case stems from the belief of Finkel and Kahn that Pacquiao will get much more than the declared purse of $1 million and since the management team is entitled to 25 percent of the purse they feel cheated. Considering Pacquiao’s stature and marketability and the fact that he received $2 million for his last fight against Erik "El Terrible" Morales in addition to a percentage of huge pay-per-view income, Finkel and Kahn claimed the declared $1million purse was disadvantageous.
Atty. Gacal admitted "this is the bone of contention" and added that Finkel "wants a share of a bigger amount. This is precisely what he wants." Finkel and Kahn believe that Salud and Gacal influenced Pacquiao and declared his purse as $1 million which they feel is lower than his actual purse, raising questions as to who would get the balance of $2.55 after Larios collects his purse of $450,000.
Gacal also admitted that "the contracts for the undercard were not coming in so I decided to go to the US and secure all the contracts." Gacal indicated that the contracts for the premier supporting bout featuring Alejandro Montiel of Mexico and the latest Philippine ring sensation, WBO No.1 ranked bantamweight Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista hadn’t been finalized.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that Golden Boy Promotions who handles Montiel and also has a promotional deal with the ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer who manages the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion was unhappy with the purse of $10,000. Most boxing authorities consider the purse far too small for such talented and world-rated fighters who will also be a major draw.
Bautista who returned recently after a spectacular third round knockout over Nicaraguan toughie Roberto Bonilla rushed home after the fight and began training immediately for the battle against Montiel, further underscoring the sacrifices being made by the undefeated 19 year old which highlights the unfairness of the $10,000 purse.
