By Rey Danseco
MANNY Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, had lied to Bob Arum when he claimed that he already secured a visa for Filipino challenger Sonny Boy Jaro.
Jaro remains in the Rizal province of the Philippines after the United States Embassy in Manila denied him, and his trainer Warren Jaro, their visas on Thursday morning (Wednesday night in the US and Mexico).
Jaro is slated to face Giovanni Segura for the WBA interim light flyweight title on the “Latin Fury 10” pay-per-view on Saturday at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico.
Jaro’s very frustrated and his team blamed Koncz.
“Denied, my friend. The embassy stated the application was too close to the bout,” said Jaro’s handler Aljoe Jaro.
“This is Koncz’s fault; we blame him for this mess. He gave us the necessary papers including the fight contract and the invitation letter from Top Rank late last week (July 16). We are not superman that we can process the necessary papers overnight. Remember 18th and 19th days of this month were Saturday and Sunday and offices are closed.”
The three Jaros have plane tickets and booked to fly around 10pm of July 23 through Philippine Airlines and they should arrive in Los Angeles for a connecting flight to Nuevo Vallarta on the same date.
Koncz, who is accused by critics as being Pacquiao’s shadow because of going with the pound for pound champion wherever he goes, recognized the problem.
“Move your **s my friend because the promotion there is giving me a lot of stress because if Sonny Boy does not make it here to fight - it will be big problem,” Koncz told Aljoe, whose another fighter Bernabe “Kamaong Llave” Concepcion is under contract with Koncz until this year.
It should be Jaro’s second attempt to become a world champion. Last year he floored WBC light fly champ Edgar Sosa with a left hand last year, but loss with unanimous decision.
The card in Mexico is promoted by Arum ‘s Top Rank and Zanfer Promotios.
Recently, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr backed of fighting in the main event after suffering an injury while training.
Jaro should received $20,000 purse from the bout.