Finkel says truth will come out

Manny Pacquiao’s American manager Shelly Finkel said yesterday news reports of his $7.5 million suit against lawyer Franklin Gacal and Rex (Wakee) Salud were distorted and promised "at some point in the future" to reveal the facts that led to filing the case in court.

Finkel implied that his rights as Pacquiao’s manager were violated and he was left no choice but to seek redress.

"I hope that everything gets settled soon and we go forward as we were going before," said Finkel whose contract to manage Pacquiao expires on Jan. 31 next year. "You are aware of the job we have done for Manny. This will not affect the (negotiations) for the (Erik) Morales fight."

Despite the wrinkle in his relations with Pacquiao’s associates, Finkel said he will definitely fly to Manila to witness the fight against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum at least a week before the July 2 bout.

Gacal is the corporate secretary and Salud a consultant of MP Promotions, the newly-organized company that manages Pacquiao’s business affairs.

Lawyer Nicholas Khan, who joined Finkel in the suit, said he hopes "this is behind all of us soon." He added, ’Shelly, Freddie (Roach) and I have done nothing but what’s right for Manny outside of the ring (and) in turn, Manny has done nothing but what’s right inside the ring. We’ve come a long way from Murad (Muhammad) signing away Manny’s fight to choose his own gloves and from suing Murad."

Finkel said the Morales rubber match will be held in November, contrary to the Mexican’s claim that it is set on Oct. 7, in Las Vegas. After the Morales fight, Pacquiao will likely face World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera in a return bout early next year. Both fights are expected to earn millions of dollars in ticket sales and pay-per-view subscriptions with Pacquiao the chief beneficiary.

Finkel said he flew to Los Angeles from New York last week to watch Pacquiao in training at the Wild Card Gym and was impressed.

"Manny looks great and (Larios’ two-week) head start (in training) should be no problem," said Finkel. "I would like Manny to take control (of the fight) early and be able to stop or knock Larios out. He is doing everything better each day (in the gym) as he and Freddie work closer together."

Finkel described Larios as a dangerous opponent because "every world-class opponent is dangerous (as) they will prepare better for Manny than they will for any other opponent."

Larios, 29, held the WBC superbantamweight crown for nearly four years and logged eight title defenses.

Finkel declined to speculate on Pacquiao eventually invading the 135-pound division and instead, spoke of his coming fights against Larios, Morales and Barrera in that order.

"Barrera is a great fighter and he will be at his best for Manny," noted Finkel. "That being said, Manny will rise to the occasion and be victorious again."

Asked to pick the three most exciting fighters in the world today, pound-for-pound, Finkel named Pacquiao, Arturo Gatti and Wladimir Klitschko.

Finkel, who turns 62 on June 27, was once described by KO Magazine as "one of the premier managers of the game" and by writer Don Majeski as "boxing’s last great manager, perhaps the only manager around today" since most so-called managers are in fact promoters.

When Finkel boarded the Pacquiao bandwagon to sign a two-year contract, he said he considered the fighter and his wife Jinkee part of his family. "I try to look over him and her and guide them in the way that I think would best for their life now and in the future," said Finkel who has three children with his wife Beth in 30 years of marriage.