Finkel warns Manny of Mexican slugger

Shelly Finkel said yesterday a loss to unbeaten Mexican featherweight champion Javier (Coloradito) Solis would be "devastating" for Manny Pacquiao and advised the Filipino boxing icon to train hard for the 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on April 14.

Finkel, whose contract as Pacquiao’s business manager expired last month, sent an e-mail from New York warning of dire consequences if somehow, Solis pulls an upset.

But Finkel said he knows Pacquiao won’t take Solis lightly, realizing he has everything to lose.

"I hope Manny takes this fight seriously and he’ll be okay," said Finkel. "He still could work with Freddie (Roach) for this fight."

Roach is committed to train Oscar de la Hoya for his May 5 duel with Floyd Mayweather and has designated top assistant Justin Fortune to work with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Roach, however, said Pacquiao is welcome to train with him at de la Hoya’s camp in Puerto Rico.

Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles on March 6 and won’t be back until after the Solis bout. He began training in General Santos City last week.

Finkel downplayed the significance of fighting a fringe contender like Solis when Pacquiao could be facing a Marco Antonio Barrera or a Juan Manuel Marquez in a big pay-per-view event. A promotional dispute involving Top Rank and Golden Boy has stalled negotiations for Pacquiao to fight Barrera or Marquez. Pacquiao is promoted by Top Rank while Barrera and Marquez by Golden Boy.

"The fight with Solis does nothing for Manny’s career but (it) makes some money and (Manny will) stay active," said Finkel. "I hope Manny trains hard (because) every opponent will be at his best when he fights Manny. A loss (to Solis) would be devastating."

Solis, 27, can’t be considered a patsy. He boasts a 32-0-2 record, with 23 KOs including three in the first round. The ex-Mexican superbantamweight titlist is fresh from halting Fernando Lizarraga in the fifth round in Las Vegas last month. His claim to fame is sending three-time world title challenger Orlando Soto into permanent retirement via a third round stoppage in 2004. Solis’ victims include Cristobal Cruz, who once knocked out two-time world champion Luisito Espinosa, and Fernando Alanis who lost to Filipino Francis Velasquez in Manila in 1996.

As for Pacquiao’s political plans which seem to be up in the air at the moment, Finkel said whatever the fighter decides, he wishes only the best.

"I hope Manny can do two things (boxing and politics) well at once," said Finkel. "I personally would have preferred him to pursue politics after boxing but if he has made his choice, I wish him well at both."

Finkel urged Pacquiao to carefully consider his options before deciding on his future plans.