No upside if Pacquiao fights bums, says Finkel

Shelly Finkel said the other day it’s not in Manny Pacquiao’s best interest if he fights low-quality opponents and urged the Filipino boxing icon to always give the fans their money’s worth.

"When the public doesn’t know someone, they will assume they are an easy match," continued Finkel who has managed a slew of world champions, including Mike Tyson, in over 25 years in the business.

"If Manny knocks him out quick, it is expected and he was a bum. If he doesn’t, then Manny is either slipping or didn’t take the fight seriously. In either case, this is not good for Manny. These kind of fights are dangerous with no upside for Manny."

Finkel cited as an example Pacquiao’s fight against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum last July.

"Manny was almost knocked out (by Larios) early which would have been devastating," said Finkel. "But no one gave Manny credit for the victory because that was expected of him. I hope Manny wakes up before he hurts all the good we have accomplished in the last two years."

Finkel said fighting a no-name opponent or a patsy is a "no-win" situation for Pacquiao. "It is sad what is happening," continued Finkel, noting that Pacquiao’s promotional problems constrain him from fighting stars like Marco Antonio Barrera, Joan Guzman and Juan Manuel Marquez who are contractually linked to Oscar de la Hoya.

Pacquiao recently signed a four-year deal to be promoted by de la Hoya’s bitter rival Bob Arum of Top Rank.

Meanwhile, Finkel lashed out at Canadian adviser Michael Koncz whom he accused of misguiding Pacquiao. Koncz manages Pacquiao’s younger brother Bobby.

"Manny is listening to someone who couldn’t have his fighter Bobby make weight," said Finkel. "In close to 30 years in boxing, I have never lost a title on the scales."

Finkel also dismissed claims that Barrera needs Pacquiao more than the Filipino needs the Mexican.

"If Manny and his new team were not interested in Barrera and the WBC (World Boxing Council) belt, why did they send a letter to the WBC requesting the fight?" asked Finkel. "Why did they make an offer to Barrera of $2.5 million which does not sound like they didn’t want the fight. If Michael thinks it is a game with (Juan Manuel) Marquez, again he doesn’t know what he’s doing and is playing with Manny’s life."

Finkel said he has done more than his share of protecting Pacquiao during his two-year watch as manager.

"I am hired to do a job not to pay to have the privilege of doing that job," he said. "I don’t think anyone could have done better for Manny as can be seen from where he was when I came on and where he is now. If the latest advice Manny is getting is from Michael, I hope Manny opens his eyes before it is too late."

Finkel said he still hopes to continue working with Pacquiao "on any fair basis."

Koncz shrugged off Finkel’s comments and said he is answerable only to Pacquiao.

"Despite what some reporters say I work for, my loyalty is to Manny and I advise what I truly believe is best for him in the long run," said Koncz. "The only one that can set the facts straight and give opinions about me that matters is Manny himself."

Koncz said the 50-50 split that Golden Boy proposed for a Pacquiao-Barrera rematch was not acceptable and neither was the three percent sanction fee that the WBC is charging for the title fight.

"I don’t get paid by anybody except Manny and it’s Manny whom I am accountable to, nobody else," said Koncz. "It was Manny who asked me to go to the Philippines with him after the (Erik) Morales fight last November. When I got to General Santos City, I stayed three days in a hotel and everyday, Manny asked me to move into his house until I finally did. I’m staying with Manny as long as he wants me to."

Koncz admitted he once filed for bankruptcy in the US because he lost some $500,000 taking care of fighters.

"Donald Trump has filed for bankruptcy, too, so that’s not a big deal," said Koncz.

Koncz said Pacquiao has not received a cent from the reported $800,000 settlement in the Murad Muhammad case and is even being charged $500,000 for legal fees. He credited Wakee Salud and lawyer Franklin Gacal for negotiating to raise Pacquiao’s purse from $2.5 million to $3 million for the third Morales bout.