By Ronnie Nathanielsz
 
Shelly Finkel who heads the management team of Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao has made it clear he will stand by Pacquiao on his announced decision rejecting a third fight with Erik "El Terrible" Morales if the stipulated weight is 132 pounds.
 
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Finkel said "I am with Manny and will do whatever he wishes" clearly indicating that should Pacquiao refuse to agree to a third fight above the 130 pound limit, Finkel would support him.
 
Top Rank Inc., promoter Bob Arum had earlier announced that Pacquiao had signed a contract for a third fight with Morales and the legendary Mexican who was demolished in ten rounds last January 21 was exercising the option.
 
However, Arum announced in an interview with respected boxing writer Dan Rafael of ESPN that the fight would be at 132 pounds. Rafael also quoted Finkel that the weight issue was "not a deal-breaker."
 
Finkel in an exchange of emails with this reporter/columnist said we could quote him as saying he would respect Pacquiao’s wishes.
 
Arum reiterated his position in an interview with Boxing Talk saying "the third fight will be at 132 and I think that gives him (Morales) an advantage." Arum said there was "absolutely no need" for a tune-up fight for Morales. He said all Morales has to do is "not to blow up and keep the weight off so he is near weight when he gets into camp. If he does that the result will be different."
 
Arum claimed that Morales was knocked out in the tenth round of his rematch with Pacquiao because "his legs went and his legs went because of the dieting."
 
Pacquiao reiterated his position of not willing to fight Morales as 132 pounds in a telephone conversation on Tuesday saying "Ayoko na" and claiming it was a trap set up by Arum.
 
Both Pacquiao and Morales will be at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino this weekend when WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria makes his first title defense against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre. Pacquiao will serve as analyst on the Solar Sports fight coverage while Morales will be there since Aguirre is his fighter.