Roach favors GBP over TOP RANK.

Trainer Freddie Roach has expressed preference for Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) over Top Rank Inc. as the promoter for Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. In an overseas interview with this writer, Roach said that GBP, owned by boxing superstar Oscar Dela Hoya, has all the opponents they want for Pacquiao. “I’m not a lawyer but I believe Golden Boy Promotions owns the promotional rights over Manny because they made Manny sign with them first before Top Rank came up with their offer” said Roach in a call from his Wild Card Gym in California “And besides, Golden Boy has all the fighters we want to face.” Roach was referring to several marquee fighters being promoted by GBP namely Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera. Barrera is the current World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight champion while Guzman holds the World Boxing Organization (WBO) tiara. Pacquiao scored a smashing 11th round TKO win over Barrera. Marquez recently acquired the WBO interim featherweight crown which he recently defended versus Jimrex Jaca via 9th round knockout in Texas. Marquez survived three first round knockdowns to score a draw verdict versus Pacquiao on May 2004. Roach believes that Arum does not have a top caliber fighter that can give Pacquiao not only a marquee fight but also a seven-figure fight purse. “I heard Arum wants Manny to fight Humberto Soto next March in Macau and Soto is not really a popular fighter right now,” said Roach in the same interview. Moments after Pacquiao’s emphatic 3rd round knockout victory over Mexican icon Erik Morales last weekend, Top Rank Inc. president Bob Arum announced that he had signed a four-year contract to promote Pacquiao. About two months prior to Arum’s shocking announcement, Dela Hoya signed a seven-fight pact with Pacquiao. De La Hoya recently filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against Top Rank for interference with what they claim as “existing, fully negotiated and executed promotional agreement with Manny Pacquiao”. “We believe that Manny has been ill advised to enter into another agreement. We believe further that Manny's advisors Michael Koncz and Wakee Salud and his attorney Franklin Gacal have conspired against Golden Boy and induced Manny to breach his agreement,” said GBP vice-president Eric Gomez. Gomez disclosed that apart from their lawsuit against Arum, they are also preparing follow-up lawsuits against Koncz, Salud and Gacal. “Golden Boy is proud to have Manny as part of its team and we are looking forward to bring Manny the best, biggest and most lucrative fights going forward,” added Gomez. In the same email, Gomez said that they are still hopeful Pacquiao will recognize that he is being surrounded by individuals who do not have his best interest at heart. “Golden Boy is proud to have Manny as part of its team and we are looking forward to bring Manny the best, biggest and most lucrative fights going forward,” added Gomez. Gomez disclosed that De La Hoya would be pleased to sit down with Pacquiao “man to man and fighter to fighter” to set things straight. Reports have it that Arum has also filed a countersuit against GBP. Article courtesy of www.Fightnews.com

Comments (8)

The day i seen the pacquioa training video, i seen somthing and there i felt that roach and pacquoa would split very soon. I see what you see. In the training video i seen how pacquioa didnt have a clue what combos roach wanted from pacquioa. This tell me that roach is not the main mit pads trainer for pacquioa and i see a lot of pacquioas people helping roach train. Basicly they are learning everything roach has to offer to manny and in turn with in some time pacquioa will distance himself from roach then one day leave him. Since now pacquioa and his people have already learned so much from roach, that they can now guide pacquia and train him. And in turn turn other fighter with training techniques they learnd from roach. I dont think roach sees what coming or maybe he does, i dont' know. lol hahaha

19y ago

THRILLAinmanila

There are some nasty rumors that Arum forced Pac to sign the contract. I hope its not true. For Manny, IMHO the money fights with GBP's stable of fighters are the best for his interest. The opportunity to finally get his belts awaits with the rematch with MAB. He long deserves this, not to mention the reported $5 Million (!) he stands to get from this fight. Unbelievable amount of money no matter where you're from.

19y ago

ferocity

you see a lot and predict a lot. funny how it doesn't equate to reasonable boxing analysis, you're always far off in your scoring and predictions versus what boxing experts come up with. and yet you have the nerve to alwaysgloat about your boxing knowledge? :ugh: LOL :D I never force you aggree with me do I? The boxing experts as you say, were saying pacquioa is a small 130 fighter, i've said bullshit, and on fight night pacquioa comes in at 144 for a 130 fight, pacquioa is no small fighter at 130, he can easily fight at 135 in face in 2 years or less he'll have too, unless he changes his diet.

19y ago

Bogler

19y ago

ferocity

You know what, if you watch the post-fight press coverage, Manny and Freddie are seated next to eachother with Arum at the podium, and it looks like Manny and Freddie aren't to happy...just a thought The day i seen the pacquioa training video, i seen somthing and there i felt that roach and pacquoa would split very soon. I see what you see. In the training video i seen how pacquioa didnt have a clue what combos roach wanted from pacquioa. This tell me that roach is not the main mit pads trainer for pacquioa and i see a lot of pacquioas people helping roach train. Basicly they are learning everything roach has to offer to manny and in turn with in some time pacquioa will distance himself from roach then one day leave him. Since now pacquioa and his people have already learned so much from roach, that they can now guide pacquia and train him. And in turn turn other fighter with training techniques they learnd from roach. I dont think roach sees what coming or maybe he does, i dont' know.

19y ago

Abe_Attell

Does Manny really need a Promoter? His name is already big, so what do you need a promoter for? What does a Promoter actually do? {Especially from what I hear the promoter gets 33%}

19y ago

deuce_drop

i hope that Manny goes with GBP, i think it would be better for him and better for boxing. Arum has been in way too long and is the Jewish version of Don King, the only difference is their skin color. King and Arum are the same, they'd kick their mom in the teeth for for a buck! GBP has been making way better fights and has been taking care fo the fighters better than Arum or King ever has. it's time to phase out the old lions and bring in the new. if i was a fighter looking to sign i'd go with the guy/guys that have been in the ring as a fighter and not just a promoter. the mega money is with Oscar and the fairness too. maybe not a 100% fairness but more then any fighter ever in any life time would see with Arum as their promoter.

19y ago

Abe_Attell

You know what, if you watch the post-fight press coverage, Manny and Freddie are seated next to eachother with Arum at the podium, and it looks like Manny and Freddie aren't to happy...just a thought

19y ago