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Thursday, December 23, 2004
Pacman ‘hesitates’ to affix signature on fight contract
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WHILE Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez is now training hard at the mountains of Mexico in preparation for his rematch with “The Destroyer” Manny Pacquiao – the Filipino ring icon is still trying to iron out differences with US-based promoter Murad Muhammad.
Pacquiao hesitates to sign a two-fight contract with Muhammad, which gives him $2.65 million plus a guaranteed $900,000 purse for the Marquez rematch on Feb. 26 in Las Vegas for the WBA/IBF featherweight title.
The contract also includes $1.75 million for his date with Erik Morales in July.
Question mark
The fighter from General Santos City is scheduled to leave for the US next week on orders of his trainer Freddie Roach, but the rematch is still a big question as Pacquiao and Marquez are yet to sign their contracts with Murad.
Reportedly, Marquez’s manager Ignacio Berastain said that there was no negotiation yet for the Marquez-Pacquiao rematch, although it was already announced to happen on Feb. 26 in Las Vegas.
While Pacquiao is ready for the fight, he has second thoughts on the contract.
“Usually, Murad will send one contract for each fight, but this one I questioned because it’s only one contract for two fights,” he said in his website www.mannypacquiao.ph. “The Feb. 26 fight is okay because I am already aware of it, but when he included the July fight in one contract that’s another thing.”
Part ways
Even Pacquiao’s manager Marty Elorde admitted the ring hero is not keen on affixing his signature on the contract.
“The way I understand it, the fight (Marquez-Pacquiao II) won’t push through if Manny won’t sign (the contract),” Elorde said in a text message.
A Sun.Star-Cebu source in Manila said Pacquiao has wanted to part ways with his current business manager Rod Nazario and go back to the fold of Elorde, whose stewardship contract ends by the end of the year. Nazario’s contract with Pacquiao ends in January.
Another source said that another US-based promoter is interested in signing Pacquiao to a promotional deal, which includes signing bonuses and other privileges. Pacquiao’s contract with Murad ends in February next year.
Roach will act as Pacquiao’s manager until the 26-year-old fighter signs up with a new handler.
(December 23, 2004 issue)
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