Could Filipinos turn against Pacquiao? Five risky moves

  Manny Pacquiao under fire during Solar Sports controversy

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How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out

Lady Macbeth, "Macbeth," William Shakespeare

In this famous scene from world literature, Lady Macbeth muses that she is willing to bash her own baby's brains if such an act meant achieving her goal of becoming queen. 

________________________

Boxer By Day, Businessman By Night . . .

(1) Manny Pacquiao emerged as a boxing sensation after his first win against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.  Unfortunately, controversies began to emerge regarding allegations of mismanagement by the boxer's advisors.  As Manny became more successful in the ring, so did he become a target for opportunism.  Long-time business manager Rod Nazario, from 1995 to 2005, and Manny Pacquiao parted ways after allegations of incomplete payments of U.S. tax liabilities on behalf of Pacquiao.  As Nazario argued that the tax payments were indeed paid in full, Pacquiao claimed that the accounting did not balance.  The disagreement between both camps led to a souring relationship, and eventually ended with both camps parting ways.  Manny would sign on with American Shell Finkel along with Murad Muhammad (to be the boxer's U.S. promoter) as Manny would prepare for his first fight with another Mexican legend, Erik Morales (in 2005). 

(2) In April 2005, merely a month after the first Morales fight, Pacquiao's lawyers filed suit against new promoter Murad Muhammad in a New York court.  Manny's camp claiming that the promoter transferred over 30% of the boxer's purses to a shell company without paying tax liabilities (which were supposed to be drawn out of these funds) as originally promised.  Both camps eventually decided on an out-of-court settlement.  Top Rank Promotions, led by Bob Arum, soon assumed promotional representation and marketing responsibilities on behalf of Pacquiao.

(3) In early 2009, the wife of one of Pacquiao's drivers was charged with forgery and grand theft after allegedly stealing close to $90,000.  The charges appear serious and legit.

(4) In the spring of 2009, two months before Pacquiao's showdown with Ricky Hatton, Manny announced his intention of having his fight aired on ABS-CBN, a major television network in the Philippines.  A major controversy ensued as competing network Solar Sports had an existing contractual right to air the Hatton fight.  Two major corporations appeared headed to court, with the negative publicity affecting Pacquiao's stature in his homeland.  Manny's camp soon claimed he was lulled by ABS-CBN through one of its correspondents, who Manny knows personally.  A deal was brokered.  An ugly legal battle, with Manny risking significant loss of goodwill, was averted.  To be sure, there were sighs of relief.

Bad Taste?

Has Manny's legal and financial entanglements effected a lasting bad taste in the champ's mouth?  Certainly, most if not all business professionals have undergone "learning curves" in business, and mistakes to be avoided in the future.  Boxers, given the high dollar amounts at stake, certainly are no exception.

                           Photo credit - Pow Salud

As most followers know, Manny climbed out of "The Abyss" the hard way, with an early exposure to dire poverty in General Santos and Manila.  Undoubtedly, these early experiences helped to shape Manny, the human being - not the boxer - with a humble, thankful, and generous character. 

In a prior article, we attribute the following:

"Manny relates to the world’s desperate – those who go through the day without a single meal – because he himself clawed out of this abyss. Each of us can not choose the parents or settings that we are born into – we are given certain cards. We are forced to play them, or die. Born of a family with no money, Manny was forced to drop out of the 6th grade in order to provide food for his mother and siblings."

In his native country, Pacquiao is first viewed as a hero figure.  He happens to be a boxer -  thus boxing comes second for many ardent fans.  Such a dynamic brings about a complete set of nuances and prospective reactions that other fighters are not subject to.  Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may - perhaps should - demand a 60% cut of the purse as the undefeated former #1 pound-for-pound boxer.  He offers a strict and narrow role as an athlete to the international sports marketplace.

Manny is different.  To American, British, and Mexican eyes, he is a great boxer.  To his own people, many of whom live below the poverty line, he is a societal role model.  Sports great does not always equal societal role model.  Ask Dennis Rodman or Darryl Strawberry.  At the finer points of business and legal negotiations, it behooves Manny's advisors to advance the interest of not only the boxer, but to do so in such a way that protects the hero's function.  It is the supreme balancing act.  It is Michael Jordan-esque.  It harbors class and grace unparalleled in his own sport.  It is the way the San Francisco 49ers won all the great football championships in the 1980s.  What it is not, is how Jose Canseco excelled in baseball but took steroids in order to do it.  Ignoring the critical function of the hero in his societal role can subject the "national fist" to accusations of greed, diminished humility, or being surrounded by hucksters masquerading in business attire.  A $1,000 suit does not transform a dishonorable person into one of character.  Donning dirty robes and slippers, upon fitting on a high character individual who possesses decency and dignity, remains so regardless of attire.

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