15.01.04 – By Keith Terceira: The IBF has sent to us an explanation as to the payment of $20,000 from the Pacquiao-Barrera purse. It gives us an understanding as to the sanctioning rules and the requirements under IBF rules. Slowly, answers are coming forth to show this entire thing is the result of trainers, fighters and media trying to become promoters, sanctioning officials, and accountants. Being Paranoid may not mean someone isn’t following you but it also doesn’t mean someone is. Have we all become so accustomed to boxing being a perceived dirty business that we all jump at every backfire and sonic boom.
The IBF explaination
1) In order to fight Marco Antonio Barrera without being stripped of his IBF Jr. Featherweight title, Manny Pacquiao needed to pay the IBF $20,000 for an Exception. By Nov. 15 Jose Luis Valbuena was already the mandatory challenger for Manny Pacquiao. In fact, he was the leading available contender way before the Barrera-Pacquiao fight. Valbuena fought two title eliminators. The first one to become the No. 3 and highest available contender, and the second one when he beat David Donis on Oct. 23 to become the No. 1 contender. Although, as you pointed out, just recently has a purse bid been called for a Pacquiao-Valbuena Jr. Featherweight title fight, Manny Pacquiao was already obligated to fight Valbuena when he became the No. 3 Contender. And that defense was already overdue. Therefore, he needed to insure that his fighting Barrera would not lead to the stripping of his title. It needs to be noted that the only reason a recent purse bid has been called is because it was only until Oct. 23 that Valbuena became the No. 1 contender, thus giving him the right to call for a purse bid. Only a number one contender has the right to call for a purse bid if the offering is not to his liking. Pacquiao could not freeze the title and therefore prevent someone who has fought two title eliminators from fighting for the crown. Those are the rules. Pacquiao and his team abided by the rules of the IBF.