http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=1283
Boxing star Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was already a loser even before he stepped into the ring to battle Mexico's Erik Morales at the MGA Grand in Las Vegas last Sunday.
This is because, according to Pacquiao, his former promoter Murad Muhammad was already a winner by more than $2 million even before the first punch was thrown.
Pacquiao told DZMM Wednesday that Murad earned more than what he got during his non-title fight with Morales.
"Murad earned $2,800,000 on that fight while I only got $1,750,000 and I was risking my life on the ring," he said in Filipino.
He said he will be taking Murad to court.
Pacquiao also said he did not receive anything from the pay-per-view earnings from HBO's cable broadcast of the match.
It was said that over 450,000 televiewers subscribed to HBO to watch the fight at $45 each, translating to more than $20 million.
"It is clear that there was something wrong about the deal. Promoters should not earn more than their fighters since they are not the ones trading blows on the ring," the GenSan pugilist said.
Aside from money matters, Pacquiao has also to contend with the factions that have formed inside his team.
Reports said the contending factions within the Filipino boxer's circle are the faction led by trainer Freddie Roach and new promoter Shelly Finkel and the other headed by Pacquiao's long-time manager Rod Nazario.
"I have this feeling that Pacquiao was not receiving what he actually deserves," Roach told TV Patrol.
Roach himself had a squabble with Murad over the use of gloves. Pacquiao was forced to use Winning Gloves -- the one used by Morales -- as embodied in the contract negotiated by Murad.
This angered Roach, pointing out that Murad should have asked Pacquiao's preference.
"Let's be honest -- the gloves won't make the difference in who wins or loses the fight," Roach said. "But if you put your hands in both pairs, they definitely have a different feel and each fighter has a preference."