By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The head of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao’s management team Shelly Finkel whose contract expires on January 31 but which Top Rank promoter Bob Arum repeatedly claimed ended last August after Finkel signed a waiver says he can guarantee making the rematch with Barrera and that Pacquiao would make “at least $5 million.”
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Finkel said “if he (Pacquiao) wants me as his manager I will guarantee o make the fight with Barrera and that he will make at least $5 million or I don’t take a penny.”
Finkel emphasized that Arum “is not his promoter until the courts decide” and that he would “only negotiate for Manny.”
At the same time Finkel said no matter what Pacquiao believes if he wants the Barrera fight “he better make a decision or he’s going to lose it. Barrera is going to take another fight and that’s reality.” He said Arum was telling Pacquiao it was not true but Finkel insisted Arum was “wrong.”
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer had earlier referred to Finkel as a “legend in the sport” and that what he has done and accomplished for his fighters was “short of amazing.” He said Finkel is “a good man and has the best for Manny in mind.”
At the same time Schaefer said it was “ultimately up to Manny to stand up and do the right thing.” Schaefer said that one can be a great fighter but to be “a great man and fighter inside and outside the ring like Oscar De La Hoya is, one has to have integrity, honesty and character that is what ultimately sets apart the leader from the bunch.” The Golden Boy CEO added, “my hope would be that Manny will have a wake up call and realize that time has come to stand up to be a man.”
Schaefer underscored the fact that Golden Boy is there for Pacquiao and would “take the very talented fighter and make him a global icon” adding “we have the fights, the structure and the experience to make a fighter a legend. Its up to Manny.”
