By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that there was “no problem” with Pacquiao, following an overseas telephone conversation with the champion in his hometown of General Santos City in southern Philippines.
Nazario who was visibly upset over reports which claimed Pacquiao had fired promoter Murad Muhammad and was now a free agent said he discussed Pacquiao’s planned December 4 fight with WBO Intercontinental champion Gairy St. Clair of Australia as well as future fights which includes the February rematch with WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez which was arranged by Murad Muhammad with Bob Arum of Top Rank who handles Marquez and HBO.
Nazario said he had told Pacquiao to remain in Manila until he returns from the US on October 16. “We will then discuss more things” added Nazario, without elaborating.
Pacquiao himself confirmed that he and Nazario had talked and that he would fly to Manila next week from his General Santos hometown to meet with Nazario and requested that this reporter be present when they meet saying “I need your advice” apparently on what to do in terms of his ring career. It is obvious that various people are hoping to get a piece of the action and trying to manipulate Pacquiao for their own selfish ends resulting in stories and press releases being issued by different individuals and posted on the internet.
Pacquiao himself did not wish to publicly discuss reports that he had decided to terminate his contract with Murad Muhammad although he did admit on more than one occasion that he was very grateful to the promoter for having given him the big breaks in the US beginning with the IBF junior featherweight title fight against Lelohonolo Ledwaba and the big fights against Marco Antonio Barrera and Marquez.
Pacquiao said that after his meeting with Nazario he planned to return to Los Angeles to resume training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in preparation for the fight with St.Clair. Both Murad Muhammad and Nazario said the fight was a done deal and that Pacquiao would earn $500,000.
The son of Nazario who handles his business affairs in the US, Roberto “Boying” Nazario revealed that Top Rank president Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar De La Hoya were both “interested” in Pacquiao but that they “don’t want any legal problems” indicating they were wary of dealing with Pacquiao as long as he had a “live” contract with Murad Muhammad. Nazario also admitted that Murad Muhammad had two more fights under his contract.
Marty Elorde, son of the late all-time great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde who reigned as junior lightweight champion of the world for nearly seven-and-a-half years whose manager’s contract with Pacquiao ends in February next year had offered Pacquiao P5 million or $90,000 to renew his contract for another five years which was described as ridiculously low since he could earn that in one big fight of Pacquiao because he is entitled to thirty percent of the purse.
Pacquiao said he was continuing to train while in General Santos City although he was also reportedly playing pool.
