Pacman handlers tackle Larios fight

Everything concerning Manny Pacquiao’s immediate plans will be laid down on the negotiating table, discussed and hopefully finalized this weekend.

For the next three days, Pacquiao will meet his American promoter Shelly Finkel, lawyer Nicholas Khan and trainer Freddie Roach who are all planing in today.

It will be the first visit to Manila for Finkel and Khan since they officially became part of Team Pacquiao last year. For Roach, it’s his second since December of 2004.

On top of the agenda is Pacquiao’s scheduled fight against Mexico’s Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum. Dates being mentioned are June 25 or 28 or July 2.

While it’s almost a done deal except for the fact that Larios seems to be playing hard-to-get, a lot of things will have to be finalized.

Larios has reportedly backed out of the fight, citing the unstable political situation in the country. But the latest word is that he’s back in and trying to secure a $450,000 purse.

A contract with ABS-CBN, which is airing the coming fight, was signed as early as last month. But how to promote the fight will be a major concern.

In fact, a conference room at the Tektite Tower in Ortigas Center will be inaugurated today as the fight’s promotions center. Pacquiao and his team will be there.

A press conference is being scheduled for tomorrow.

Once the details of the Manila fight are finalized, next to be discussed is Pacquiao’s pending third fight with Mexico’s Erik Morales sometime in September.

Morales defeated Pacquiao in March of 2004 before the Filipino fighter bounced back with a sensational 10th round knockout last January. Both fights were held in Las Vegas.

Under the contract of the second fight, a third one should be held in case Pacquiao evens up the score. It looks like a third fight is coming up.

But things took a sudden twist earlier this month when Marco Antonio Barrera, the World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion, called for a rematch with Pacquiao.

Barrera lost to Pacquiao via knockout in 2003 but has recovered well, putting on a string of victories, including one over Morales whom he dethroned as champion in 2004.

Barrera’s offer has made a lot of people think, including Pacquiao and his American think-tank, whether it should be Barrera or Morales up next for the Pinoy icon.

By the time Finkel, Khan and Roach fly back to Los Angeles in a few days, there should be a clearer picture in everything concerning Pacquiao’s immediate plans.