MICHAEL MARLEY PHILIPPINE DIARY, PART 9:
Exclusive Report From Behind The Tall Walls Of Manny Pacquiao's Mansion
GENERAL SANTOS CITY
—First things come first.The “news” that Manny Pacquiao has backed down to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and has agreed to underdog prefight blood testing for drug use 14 days before they would have their megabout is NOT TRUE.
I repeat, having just spoken with Pacman's hardworking agent Michael Koncz who minutes later was assured by his boss that the facts are that “nothing has changed” on the troubling topic which wrecked fight negotiations between the two camps this past January.
“I don't know where they got that report,” Koncz said. “'I've been getting many, frantic calls on this and it is not true that Manny agreed to anything. I guess it went out on some website using Manny's name but it was not authorized and is not correct.
“Manny just told me that nothing has changed as to a Mayweather fight as far as he is concerned. Nothing has changed regarding the blood testing. Manny continues to say as he has all along that he will fully comply with any and all regulations of a boxing commission, whether it is in Nevada, Texas or somewhere else.
“Manny is not going to let Mayweather bully or dictate this. Mayweather does not run his own boxing commission as far as we can tell. Manny is more than willing to fight Mayweather, that is not the issue here.”
Koncz, who is especially busy with Pacman's Congressional campaign in Sarangani nearing its end (voting takes place next Monday across the nation for many offices inlcludsing that of the presidency), said that Mayweather cannot throw a wrench into any Big Fight discussions with excessive financial demands.
“We agreed previously to a 50-50 split of all revenue and we demand the same now,” Koncz said. “Mayweather cannot take the lion's share no matter what he says. If he sticks to that, then Manny says there will be no fight.
“As far as we're concerned, Mayweather had a nice victory over (Shane) Mosley but, really, it was nothing spectacular.”
As if to further underline Pacquiao's desire to match his ring skills with Money May, Koncz said that should a boxing commission adjust or upgrade its rules for more stringent drug testing that there is no doubt that Megamanny will abide by that board's regulations.
“If the commission that is involved makes some adjustments on that, then Manny will go along with it 100 percent.
“If Mayweather does not want to fight Manny then let him go fight another American. I didn't hear him mention any other opponents, did you? Who can he fight and make the money he and Manny would make by fighting each other? You know the answer, nobody.”
Koncz, who said that Pacman promoter Bob Arum will be on the scene here in the Pinoy Idol's hometown Thursday for the conclusion of the heated electoral battle against billionaire Roy Chiongbian, outlined some additional aspects as to how the Big Fight can become a reality.
“We're staying with the 50-50 split, no doubt,” the former Canadian hockey player and law firm paralegal said.
“If Manny and Mayweather fight, and if the fight is compelling and entertaining, then we would agree to do a second fight where the winner of the first bout gets the lion's share of the money. That shows you how open and keen Manny is on fighting this guy.”
Koncz said that Pacman continues to believe that having blood drawn a few days before he fought and lost to Mexican superstar Erik Morales was a key factor in that defeat.
“It is a psychological thing with Manny as he feels that left him not at full strength and he intends to be completely at full strength to fight Mayweather. This a firm belief with Manny. It remains on Manny's mind but he will be reasonable if they are reasonable.”
I asked Koncz if he and or Pacman had spoken to Arum about any substantive issues regarding a Mayweather super bout since Mayweather decisioned Mosley Saturday night in Las Vegas.
“No, not really,” Koncz said. “There is nothing to discuss at this point, nothing to say.”
Konz reiterated that, whatever the results at the Saragani polls in Pacman's second try for public office, he will fight “this year.
“No Manny will be fighting this year for sure, probably in November.”
Koncz said the Pacquiao camp is no hurry to do anything as to boxing plans.
“We're not in a rush to do anything in boxing. Manny is focused on this election and then he will take his family on a two week vacation to an undisclosed location.”
Finally, Koncz said there may be problems agreeing with the Mayweather handlers on a venue.
“We just want to go where the biggest deal, the most money for the two fighters is. We think this fight at Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium, where Manny drew 50,000 people to fight (Joshua) Clottey would draw 100,000 people.
“We know they (Al Haymon, Golden Boy and Mayweather himself) will insist on Las Vegas. We like Las Vegas also, especially the MGM Grand and how they've treated us, but we want to go where the most revenue is. In this case, on this fight, Las Vegas might not be that place.”
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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