No patsies for Manny

International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario yesterday laughed off speculation that he deliberately picks patsy challengers to make the fighter look good.

In Pacquiao’s last two defenses, he knocked out Jorge Eliecer Julio of Colombia in two rounds and Fahprakob Rakkiat-Gym of Thailand in one. So Pacquiao has fought in only three rounds all year.

Nazario said Julio was certainly no tomato can. The Colombian had lost only to Junior Jones, Johnny Tapia and Adan Vargas before facing Pacquiao. He’d won 44 fights, 32 by knockout. But against the Filipino, Julio was clearly no match. As for Fahprakob, he wasn’t Nazario’s choice. The IBF ordered Pacquiao to face the Thai in a mandatory defense because he was the leading available contender.

Nazario said it’s not his fault that Pacquiao makes short work of his foes. "Wala tayong magagawa," he continued. "Bumabagsak kung tinatamaan ni Manny."

Regarding Pacquiao’s next defense, Nazario said there are still no firm offers. Nazario disclosed that US promoter Murad Muhammad was close to arranging a New Jersey showdown with IBF bantamweight titlist Tim Austin in February but the fight fell through. Apparently, Austin got cold feet.

"Umayaw si Austin," said Nazario. Austin has decided to defend his 118-pound crown instead.

Nazario said he has received feelers from investors to promote Pacquiao’s next defense in Saipan or Subic. If nothing concrete materializes in two weeks, Nazario mentioned he will book Pacquiao in a non-title bout here in February to keep him busy.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is back in General Santos City after demolishing pro cager Vergel Meneses in a celebrity 9-ball billiards exhibition at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater last weekend.

Nazario said Pacquiao will celebrate his 24th birthday on Dec. 17 in his hometown. On Dec. 21, Pacquiao will promote his first pro boxing card in General Santos City with ex-Oriental featherweight champion Samuel Duran and Fernando Montilla tangling in the main event. In the same card, former amateur star Danilo Lerio takes on Along Deloy in an 8-round appetizer.

Nazario estimated Pacquiao’s weight to be about 132 pounds or 10 over the superbantamweight limit since he’s not in serious training. "Tumatakbo-takbo siya but since wala pang schedule na laban, hindi pa mabigat ang kanyang workout," said Nazario.

Once there is something definite in Pacquiao’s calendar, Nazario said he will send the fighter back to trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

Nazario confirmed that when Pacquiao recently watched Marco Antonio Barrera outpoint Tapia on TV, he phoned to say he’s ready for the Mexican. "Tumawag sa akin si Manny at sabi niya, Boss, kayang-kaya natin si Barrera–labanan na natin," recounted Nazario. Barrera was paid $1 million and Tapia, $755,000 for the 12-round brawl. Obviously, Pacquiao knew how much the fighters took to the bank.

In Pacquiao’s last fight, he received a purse of P8 million. Nazario said Pacquiao used the money to pay the balance for a house in Davao City and start a lending business.

Nazario said he’s not rushing a fight against Barrera or another highly-touted Mexican featherweight Erik Morales. Maybe after two more defenses, added Nazario, Pacquiao will be ready for either Barrera or Morales.

Nazario said Pacquiao is still growing. He’s up to slightly over 5-6 and Nazario figured that before next year ends, he should outgrow the superbantamweight class and start campaigning as a featherweight.

Muhammad, quoted in a boxing website, said a priority for Pacquiao is to unify the 122-pound championship. "There are a lot of options for Manny and we want to fight anyone who will increase his value," said Muhammad. "We would move up to featherweight if we could fight Barrera, the Prince (Naseem Hamed), or any of the top guys at featherweight. Manny has no problem moving up."