Manny Pacquiao has made sure that his coming fight against Mexico’s Oscar Larios turns out to be a big one as he had the popular ring announcer agree to come to the Philippines.
"It was a special request by Manny Pacquiao to Michael Buffer and the latter agreed. He is coming over to do the ring introduction," said Eric Pineda of Team Pacquiao.
Pineda said the Pacquiao invitation was relayed to Buffer by the Filipino boxer’s manager Shelly Finkel who recently visited the Philippines.
"And I was told that Michael Buffer even agreed to a pay cut — just for the love of Manny," said Pineda. "I just don’t know how much it is."
Pineda said they are also working on the possibility that the fight, where Pacquiao’s WBC International super-featherweight crown is at stake, is declared tax-free for the boxers.
"Otherwise, it will mean double taxation for Larios who will be taxed here and in Mexico. If that happens, plus the other deductions, Larios will only get around 10 percent of his purse," Pineda said.
Larios will receive $450,000 for the fight, scheduled at 12 rounds and at 130 lbs. — Abac Cordero