By Ronnie Nathanielsz
FILIPINO ring idol Manny Pacquiao hasn’t signed the fight contract for his third encounter with legendary Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales as yet, according to his close friend and confidant Wakee Salud.
In a telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today, Salud said the announcement by Pacquiao’s management team, headed by Shelly Finkel, and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, was mainly to ensure they had the Nov. 18 date of HBO locked up. This is a common practice among boxing promoters.
Salud disclosed that Pacquiao was offered $2.5 million, but wanted $3 million to fight Morales, plus a share of the pay-per-view income, which is expected to be substantial.
Pacquiao himself confirmed he would probably leave for the United States in the first or second week of August to finalize the contract and other fight details.
The ring warrior, who arrived from General Santos City, proceeded to a recording studio along Ermin Garcia Street in Quezon City to practice singing for a concert tomorrow. Pacquiao, who was recently hospitalized briefly because of acid reflux, said he was feeling fine.