Elorde isnt holding his breath.
A few days ago, he spoke to Pacquiao on the phone and couldnt get an assurance of a renewal. Hes offering at least a P5 Million signing bonus and a P20,000 monthly allowance for a five-year extension. Elorde says the amount of the signing bonus is negotiable and P5 Million is his starting bid.
Nazario is Pacquiaos business manager and his contract was signed by Elorde. It is within Nazarios authority to negotiate Pacquiaos fights and handle his boxing-related finances.
According to Elorde, he is supposed to earn 30 percent of Pacquiaos purses and Nazario, 10 percent. But he points out that Pacquiaos training and other related expenses are taken from his share, leaving him with a net bite of about 20 percent. In his bid for an extension, Elorde hopes to net at least 25 percent.
Nazarios contract is co-terminus with Elordes. However, Pacquiao signed a four-fight deal with Nazario and New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad in March last year. The first fight in the package was the Juan Manuel Marquez bout last May. The Fahsan 3-K Battery outing was excluded from the deal because it was staged here, not in the US. The second fight is the Marquez rematch on Feb. 26. If plans dont miscarry, the third fight will be against Erik Morales in July and the fourth will be the Marco Antonio Barrera rematch in November.
In effect, the four-fight deal will extend Nazarios contract beyond its expiration on Jan. 31.
Elorde says since the four-fight deal was signed during his term as manager, he should share in the purses even if his own contract is not renewed on Jan. 31. He plans to consult his lawyers on the issue.
Elorde admits his investment of about P1.6 Million in Pacquiao has paid off dividends. In Pacquiaos last two fights, Elordes share was P4 Million for Marquez and P3 Million for Fahsan, less 15 percent withholding tax.
Two years ago, Elorde failed in an attempt to oust Muhammad as Pacquiaos US promoter and bring in Lou DiBella of New York. He was overruled by Pacquiao who owed a debt of gratitude to Muhammad for arranging his crack at the International Boxing Federation superbantamweight title of Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001.
Elorde says hes not optimistic of his chances to renew his contract. He confides that hes not the only bidder waiting in line.
Elorde says San Francisco lawyer Sydney Hall, a frequent Manila visitor, is trying to crash Pacquiaos party with former world lightheavyweight champion Roy Jones support.
Only the other day, US lawyer Michael Contzwho was recently here for a month following Pacquiao aroundreportedly spoke to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum claiming to represent the General Santos City fighter. Contz is supposedly a close friend of Pacquiaos trainer Freddie Roach. When Muhammad was told of Contz move, he said he might sue for tortuous interference.
During his visit here, Contz told The Star his mission is to clean up boxing and said he is at odds with Muhammad.
Elorde says at 26, Pacquiao has a long way to go as a fighter. "He has a lot of opportunities ahead," he adds. "Grabe ang kanyang popularity. Even small kids know him. Today, he is considered the greatest Filipino fighter. But during the time of my father (Flash Elorde), hes the greatest. Some say Manny is the greatest Filipino fighter ever. My opinion is he is for his time because who in todays generation can remember my father?"
Elorde says its not right that hes out of the loop in negotiating Pacquiaos fights. "I havent seen the contracts Manny has signed and as his manager I have the right to go over his fight contracts," he noted. .But not even the GAB has copies of his contract. "No transparency. In the US, they have the Ali Act which assures transparency in boxing to protect fighters. I think we should also have one."
Nazarios associate Moy Lainez said Pacquiao is keeping his options open in choosing a manager.
"Pinagiisipan ni Manny kung anong gagawin niya," said Lainez. "Kung P5 Million signing bonus lang, wala yan. Kayang-kaya niyang kitain yan sa isang laban. Ang hinahanap ni Manny sa isang manager ay yung nagmamalasakit sa kanya. Dapat sama-samang naghihirap sila. Yung laban kay Marquez, ang share ni Marty umabot ng P4 Million. But ano ang kanyang participation sa laban?"
But Elorde says he is never consulted in negotiating Pacquiaos fights. Still, he hopes his contract will be renewed because "kami ni Manny, lucky together and this is between him and me, nobody else."