MANILA, Philippines - Michael Koncz, Manny Pacquiao’s American adviser, apologized to Getty Images photographer Al Bello for his alleged assault in the aftermath of the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight last Saturday in Las Vegas.
“I think that in the heat of concern for Manny’s health and safety at that moment, there was a misunderstanding between the cameraman, myself and Buboy (Fernandez),” Koncz recently told Lem Satterfield of ringtv.craveonline.com.
“On behalf of Buboy and myself, we apologize for any inconvenience that it may have caused to the cameraman,” he added.
Koncz was caught in a photo grabbing the shirt of Bello, a veteran, award-winning, New York-based photographer who had tried to jump out of the ring to avoid the alleged attack after taking photos of Pacquiao, who fell face first following a devastating blow from Marquez.
In the same photo, Fernandez was seen trying to kick Bello.
But Koncz said there was a complete misunderstanding.
“There was a misunderstanding,” said Koncz. “And if it was construed any other way, then he has my sincerest apology.”