MANILA, Philippines - Maliban kina WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. at WBO light welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov ay may dalawa pang kandidato para makalaban ni Manny Pacquiao sa Abril 12.
Inaasahang magdedesisyon ang Filipino boxing icon sa mga susunod na araw, ayon kay Michael Koncz, ang Canadian adviser ni Pacquiao.
Tumanggi si Koncz na pangalanan ang dalawa pang nasa listahan para labanan ni Pacquiao.
“We’re not leaning towards anyone,†wika ni Koncz. “But even if we are, we wouldn’t admit it. Anytime a fighter thinks he’s a top choice, his price goes up.â€
Nang tanungin kung si Floyd Mayweather ang isa dito, hindi nagkumento si Koncz.
“I can’t speak for Floyd or (Leonard) Ellerbe,†ani Koncz. “It’s useless to talk about the candidates openly. Right now, Bob has reserved April 12 for Manny’s next fight in Las Vegas but nothing is confirmed. We still don’t have an opponent.â€
Ayon pa kay Koncz, wala pang balak si Pacquiao na magtungo sa US.
“Once we get Manny’s next fight confirmed, then we’ll make plans to travel,†sabi ng adviser. “Manny’s got a lot on his plate back home. I just spoke with him over the phone. I’ve been gone just a few days and he’s already asking when I’m coming back. I was on a plane to the US on Christmas Day and on another plane on New Year’s Eve. I’ve been doing a lot of tra-veling, trying to get things done.â€
Idinagdag pa ni Koncz na kasalukuyan nang inaasikaso ang problema ni Pacquiao sa usapin ng pagbabayad ng buwis sa IRS.
“We’ve got a very competent tax team working together with a very competent accounting team and everyone is diligently coordinating with the IRS,†wika ni Koncz. “We’re in the right direction. We’re going over the tax issues and we hope to come to an agreement soon on matters that are still not resolved.â€
Sa pagdedeklara naman ni Provodnikov para sagupain si Pacquiao, sinabi ni Koncz na “money changes a lot of people’s minds.â€
Hinikayat naman ni Roach si Provodnikov na tanggapin ang anumang alok para labanan si Pacquiao.
Kung matutuloy ito, si assistant Marvin Somodio ang muling uupo sa corner ni Provodnikov.
“I told Ruslan if a promoter offers $10 Million to fight Manny, he should take it,†ani Roach. “For a fighter, it’s all about financial security.â€