Barely a week after Finkel filed a $7.5 million suit against two of Pacquiao’s Filipino handlers, the world-famous boxer threw some jabs at his American manager.
"Sana noon pa sila nag-reklamo (They should have filed their complaint much earlier)," Pacquiao said in an e-mailed message to a Filipino scribe yesterday.
Finkel’s contract with Pacquiao expires on Jan. 31 next year. Many believe that the American is using the lawsuit as leverage as he tries to bargain for an extension of three more fights.
"Gusto nila mag-renew ng contract. Yun ang lagi nila ini-insist, na kaylangan mag-renew ng contract (They are always insisting on the need for a renewal of our contract)," wrote Pacquiao.
"Pero hindi mangyayari ’yun (But that won’t happen)," said the Filipino boxing sensation who has recently dropped the services of his American promoter Gary Shaw.
Pacquiao and his Filipino handlers believe that with his current status and tremendous following, he no longer needs the services of an American promoter or probably a manager or even lawyers.
"Alam ko ngayon na marami pa nga silang kulang sakin na hindi nila binigay. Walang full disclosure sa lahat ng contracts. (Now I know that they owe me a lot. There’s no full disclosure)," added Pacquiao in his message.
Finkel filed a case against Filipino lawyer Franklin Gacal and matchmaker Rex "Wakee" Salud who was accused of fraud and contract interference.
Finkel said the two Filipinos close to Pacquiao erred in negotiating the Filipino fighter’s bout with Mexico’s Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum with ABS-CBN.
Pacquiao, through his official outfit Manny Pacquiao Promotions, received $4 million from the network giant to plan, promote and stage his next fight in Manila.
Pacquiao, now training in the US, will receive $1 million in prize money, and as manager Finkel is entitled to 10 percent. But Finkel and lawyers Nick Khan and Keith Davidson now reportedly want 25 percent of the $4 million.