By Michael Marley

It's well known that Manny Pacquiao is a devout Catholic.

But, to hear Mexican boxing agent Rafael "Cobra" Mendoza tell it, the Pinoy Idol also "worships" his loyal liege, Michael Koncz.

Anyone who thinks they can divide and conquer Pacquiao, Koncz and promoter Bob Arum, an unholy trinity if there ever was one, is sadly mistaken, Mendoza warned by phone from his home in scenic Guadalajara.

"Whatever Bob recommends, then this is what Manny will do. Pacquiao thinks that Koncz is some sort of god. Pacquiao has a faith in Koncz like many people have deep faith in Jesus Christ.

"Pacquaio has put faith and trust in Koncz, and in Arum, and he's become extremely rich. Why wouldn't he listen to them?"

The 74 year old Mendoza, a longtime boxing writer for huge Mexican newspaper Esto before going on to counsel 23 world champions, said he thinks Arum is holding four cards which can trump anything that the Floyd Mayweather Jr. camp can come up with now.

"Mayweather insults Pacquiao, calls him a punk on the internet...why should Pacquiao care about that? Pacquiao doesn't need Mayweather to make lots of money and Arum long ago stopped working so hard just for more money.

"Arum's out to show, to prove to Golden Boy and to Mayweather that he is the big boss," Mendoza said. "Mayweather can't dictate all the terms, not with Arum and Pacquiao.

"Look, if Pacquiao makes $40 million to fight Mayweather so what...Pacquiao makes $20 million fighting other guys. He can give (Juan Manuel) Marquez a fourth fight and Manny will make $25 million there.

"Manny can fight Lamont Peterson and make $25 million. So, in two of those fights, Pacquiao gets himself $50 million.

"There's also a rematch with (Miguel) Cotto who is fading and only looked good in his last fight because he fought a completely shot (Antonio) Margarito," Mendoza said.

"The one opponent I think Manny should stay away from is Tim Bradley because he's got a style that will trouble Manny."

It should be noted that Mendoza has enjoyed a long working relationship with both Arum's Top Rank and then with Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.