Mosley, Cotto are Just Options For Pacquiao on Oct. 17
By Mark Vester
The word going around is that Manny Pacquiao is planning to choose either Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto for the opponent's slot on October 17, the Filipino champion's prefered date to return. Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's adviser, says the word going around is nothing more than boxing gossip. He says Mosley and Cotto are two options but there are many others.
“There’s been no real discussions, just small discussions between Manny, me and (lawyer) Geng (Franklin Gacal) as to who the next opponent’s gonna be," said Koncz to The Star.
It was Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach who threw out the names of Cotto and Mosley, but Koncz says Roach has nothing to do with negotiations to select an opponent. He also said that Pacquiao sitting ringside for Cotto's June 13 defense against Joshua Clottey is not a clear sign that Manny is chasing that fight. The final decision will probably not happen until the end results of July's bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Freddie is the trainer he’s not the manager so he’s not involved in the final process of negotiation for the selection of the opponent. With due respect to train Manny is his duty,” said Koncz. “Who said we want to fight Cotto? Manny has never said that. He’s never made any statement on that.
“And Shane Mosley? They’re all potential opponents but Manny has not narrowed it down to either or both individuals nor have they been a major part of our discussions. In fact Shane Mosley never came up in the discussions Geng, Manny and I had. There’s a lot of names – there’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Edwin Valero – but again Mayweather is out there."
“Negotiations on the profit sharing is going to be the major issue. Weight is an issue but it’s the sharing, the economics. We will decide on the opponent whom we find is suitable for Manny. The final decision is with Manny. Then it will be on Manny’s terms. We will not allow them to push us around. Ultimately what his decision is what will happen."
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