Boxing Examiner by Michael Marley
Fighting Antonio Margarito South of the Border, down Mexico way, is something that Manny Pacquiao would welcome for more than one reason.
Yes, Pacquiao was greeted and treated warmly on a recent short holiday stay in Margarito's homeland and discovered that he many fans there.
And, yes, Pacman feels it would be appropriate for him to perform in Mexico to show his fans some love.
But, according to his agent Michael Koncz, the overiding concern for Pacquiao would be the financial benefit he would get by fighting in Monterey rather than in Las Vegas.
Koncz, who is still in Las Vegas huddling with promoter Bob Arum but flies back to Manila to meet with his boss on Aug. 1, said there is a favorable tax situation with the Mexican site.
“Manny loves the people at the MGM Grand and they've treated him well but it becomes an economic decision,” Koncz said Wednesday. “There's a 35 percent tax burder for Manny to shoulder in America but not in Mexico and that adds up.”
So, if the Nevada boxing board does see fit to license Margarito after their Aug. 9 meeting, Team Pacquiao has no problem taking the bout to Monterey on Nov. 13.
“Manny knows he will get a warm reception from the people in Mexico. They will cheer, some of them will, for Margarito but he feels some will cheer him as well. The Mexican boxing fans are very intelligent and they are not racists of any sort.
Mr. Smith went to Washington and Mr. Pacquiao has gone to Manila to represent the people of Sarangani (Facebook)
“The Mexicans fans know Manny as an exciting fighter and, thus, they warmly embrace him. Manny does appreciate that.”
Koncz said Pacman has accepted the fact that Floyd Mayweather has demurred, at least until 2011. He doesn't like it but he accepts the reality.
“Manny is disappointed and he is sad because he wanted to give the fans the show, the big fight they are calling for all around the world. But it's just not to be.”
Koncz said he did not even discuss the huge height and reach and strength advantages Margarito has over the smaller Pacquiao.
The Canadian said he learned his lesson on on size difference in the Oscar de la Hoya bout.
“Manny feels comfortable in fighting Margarito like he was comfortable in taking on the very tall Oscar,” Koncz said. “So I did not even bring that up.”
Koncz said he believes Pacquiao is not at his career peak and will keep improving fight by fight.
“I see it every time out,” Koncz said. “I think the peak for Manny comes in the next two to three years. I do not think he has peaked yet. He is continuing to get better.”
Noting how smoothly Pacquiao has settled into his Congressional role, Koncz said Manny has told him he hopes to set an example for colleagues and for his country as a whole.
“Manny is finding it so enjoyable because he had a lifelong dream to be a public servant and now he is in there doing it. It's not a gimmick for him. He wants to show the public that you can achieve political change as he did in beating the interests who ruled Sarangani for 30 some years and that change is good. He wants to be an example of how politics and politicians can be good.”
When he lands in the Philippines, Koncz said he would bring complete bout offers for Nov. 13 for Pacman to fight either Margarito or have a rematch with Miguel Cotto.
Koncz said Pacquiao was happy to hear HBO Sports leader Ross Greenburg's public statement about how the TV executive tried in vain to make the Floyd-Manny Super Bout.
“Manny was very glad to hear that because it explains the situation to the public, to the fans. It's not a matter of Greenburg taking sides. What made his statement important is that it set the record straight.”
Source: Examiner.com
