Morales talent fee high but not high enough

No less than P2 million or its dollar equivalent.

According to a very reliable source, this was the talent fee that was dangled before Mexican boxer Erik Morales and American trainer Freddie Roach for their roles in the latest San Miguel Beer commercial.

The source described the amount as "substantial," considering that the 30-year-old Morales, a future Hall-of-Famer, is the type of boxer who easily makes millions of dollars for a single fight.

The amount is also lower than what certified Filipino superstars, particularly those from show business, get for endorsing different lines of products or services.

The shooting of the commercial started Thursday and, according to the source, was to finish yesterday. The commercial was shot inside the posh Forbes Park.

Pacquiao, of course, is also part of the ad although the source did not say how much he was getting or if it was already part of a previous deal with San Miguel Corp., which he has a lifetime partnership contract.

For his first two fights with Manny Pacquiao in March of 2005 and January of 2006, Morales received no less $2 million for his fight purse, and a few more in TV earnings and merchandise.

In the Grand Finale, held last November also in Las Vegas, Morales and Pacquiao both received a guaranteed purse of $3 million. Pacquiao closed the trilogy, and a 2-1 edge, with a third-round knockout.

Trainers like Roach normally get 10 percent of their fighter’s purse, and a lot of publicity, too, as long as they keep on winning.

Morales arrived in the country last Saturday night along with his lovely wife Andrea and an agent. It was their first visit to the Philippines and most probably won’t be the last.

The Moraleses had planned to visit Gen. Santos City to grace the birthday celebration of Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee. But it was not certain whether it pushed through amid a fresh bombing incident in the province.

A trip to the very expensive Amanpulo Resort off Palawan has also been lined up for the Moraleses, who have also received a warm treatment from some Filipino friends.