24.02.04 – By Dennis Principe: Bring them All! FILIPINO boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao has formalized a multi-million dollar deal with Cable TV giant HBO that will begin with a May 22 bout. In an email, American promoter Murad Muhammad of M and M Sports revealed that Pacquiao impressed HBO officials led by Kerry Davis, the president of programming at HBO sports and Vice-President Xavier James, after stating his eagerness to fight anyone atop the ring.
The 25-year-old Pacquiao along with business manager Rod Nazario left for New York via San Francisco late last week to negotiate with the leading network. Nazario earlier stated that they won’t settle for anything less than a one million dollar-purse for his ward’s next bout. “Bring them all!” was Pacquiao’s simple but brazen statement when asked by HBO officials on who he wants to fight next.
Pacquiao’s next foe has yet to be decided as Muhammad will still convene with Top Rank’s big boss Bob Arum who holds the promotional rights to defending World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
The 30-year-old Marquez, parading an impressive record of 42-2, 33 KO’s, has been constantly mentioned as Pacquiao’s May 22 rival and is also the first choice of HBO.
A drawback in the proposed Pacquiao-Marquez dream setto is the Mexican’s assertion of being paid more money than what Pacquiao may get if they are to fight on May 22.
Marquez said he would rather fight his mandatory IBF challenger than clash with Pacquiao at a minimal purse, reportedly at $350,000.
According to Muhammad, who did not mention the exact figure of Pacquiao’s newly minted deal, what served as music to the ears of HBO executives was when the General Santos-native prizefighter affirmed his desire to meet another Mexican superstar, superfeatherweight title challenger Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
“It was the mentioning of Morales by Pacquiao that so impressed HBO.” was Muhammad’s statement.
Should Pacquiao (38-2-1, 30 KO’s) gets past his May 22 match, the plan would be to pit the flashy Filipino pug against Morales.
“HBO was very pleased to see a champion so eager to face the best challenges available and approved Marquez as the May 22 opponent. Should the Marquez fight be his next bout as it appears likely at this point, the plan is to fight Morales next, also on HBO.” Said Muhammad’s statement.
The 27-year-old Morales, a 5-foot-7 dynamo with a fearsome record of 45-1, 34 KO’s, will face defending champion and compatriot Jesus Chavez for the WBC superfeatherweight crown on February 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Morales’ lone setback was a 12-round decision over Pacquiao’s prime victim Marco Antonio Barrera on June 22, 2002 also in Las Vegas.
While at the meeting HBO President Ross Greenburg stepped in to welcome Pacquiao and was very impressed upon learning the Filipino’s lineup of opposition.
“This is our kind of fighter and we will do everything we can to support him.’ So now that we have put this deal behind us, our plans are to fight Marquez in May and then get the last man standing, Erik Morales.” Was HBO’s statement
“It is easy to deal with a promoter who brings a fighter that would fight almost anyone. It makes our job easier.” Stated Davis.