Manny’s brother, Gorres in HBO undercard?

NEW YORK–Uncrowned world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s emergence as a marquee millionaire fighter on the Home Box Office (HBO) cable TV network may pave the way for other Filipinos to invade the lucrative US market.

Pacquiao’s manager Rod Nazario told US promoter Murad Muhammad the other day to include one or two Filipino contenders in the undercard of the May 22 show featuring the hard-hitting General Santos City southpaw against International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico at a site to be later announced.

Nazario suggested either Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby who is the Philippine superfeatherweight champion or superflyweight prospect Z Gorres for inclusion. Muhammad, who is co-promoting the card with Bob Arum of Top Rank, assured Nazario the Filipinos will be considered.

Muhammad set up the meeting that introduced Pacquiao and Nazario to HBO president for sports Ross Greenburg, vice president for sports Kery Davis and vice president for programming Xavier James at the network’s office here last Monday. HBO Sports is deeply involved in promoting boxing heroes under the much-acclaimed theme "Building Legends, One Round At A Time."

Greenburg and Davis were cited among the top 10 most influential figures in the fight game by Boxing Digest (March 2004). James made it to the top 50 honor roll.

"The best fights and the best fighters in the world, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity or national origin are continually and continuously on HBO," wrote Don Majeski in Boxing Digest. "Davis belongs (in the top 10 list) if only for making American superstars out of the Ukraine’s Vitali Klitschko and the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao."

Muhammad explained he brought Pacquiao and Nazario to face the HBO executives because it was important to establish a personal relationship in making a commitment to the network. He said recent attempts by rival groups to sow dissension in Pacquiao’s camp disturbed the HBO officials who had to be assured that the intrigue was inconsequential.

Muhammad said a plan for Pacquiao to win the IBF and WBA titles from Marquez on May 22 then take on Erik Morales–assuming he wrests the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight crown from Jesus Chavez in Las Vegas on Saturday–will cement the Filipino’s status as an HBO star.

Muhammad revealed that HBO will support the build-up for Pacquiao in a multi-fight, seven-figure US dollar package. He said the deal makes Pacquiao "a millionaire fighter."

Nazario said he has high hopes that Pacquiao’s brother Bobby will rise to the occasion and live up to his family name once he steps into a US ring. What Bobby still lacks is self-confidence.

At the inauguration of the B. F. Parañaque gym "Wild Card" owned by Nazario and Pacquiao last week, Bobby was impressive in mauling Cebu sensation Caesar Amonsot in a furious sparring session.

"No doubt, Bobby has the skills," said Nazario. "Kulang pa sa maturity kanya hindi pa namin pinalalaban sa labas. Magaling siya but he’s not yet ripe. Pag boo na ang loob niya, pwede na siyang lumaban abroad. Baka if he trains with Freddie (Roach), lumakas ang loob niya and he could be ready to fight on May 22."

Nazario said he intends to take Bobby to train in Roach’s gym in Hollywood next month.

As for Gorres, Nazario said he was told the fighter’s managers Tony Aldeguer and Rudy Salud are arranging an Oriental title fight. Gorres recently figured in a second round technical draw with Randy Mangubat in Makati. If Gorres is available and Muhammad obliges, he could make his US debut on the May 22 show which will be held in San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas.

Pacquiao said he’s still looking for a Filipino fighter in the horizon to rock the boxing world like him. He said it takes heart to make a world champion.

Nazario said Oriental minimumweight titlist Rodel Mayol is a fighter who could go places if managed properly. As for WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight contender Randy Suico, Nazario said his straight-up style makes him vulnerable to the attack of the likes of Morales and Chavez.