Murad refuses to forgive Roach

NEW YORK–Consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s chief cornerman Freddie Roach was recently named Trainer of the Year in a poll of fight experts but US promoter Murad Muhammad isn’t about to congratulate the red-haired former Massachusetts featherweight contender.

Muhammad told The Star the other day he has not forgiven Roach for calling him a thief. Besides, Roach hasn’t apologized, said Muhammad.

Roach accused Muhammad of shortchanging Pacquiao in the fight against Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio last November. Muhammad denied the charge, insisting Pacquiao and his business manager Rod Nazario knew all along the amount of the purse he negotiated in the Home Box Office (HBO) show.

Muhammad said he has spoken to Roach in an attempt to get to the bottom of the problem. Instead of backtracking, Roach pointed the finger at Pacquiao for allegedly questioning the purse.

"In over 30 years as a fight promoter, nobody has ever called me a thief," said Muhammad. "My record speaks for itself. In New Jersey, you need a casino license if you want to promote boxing in the state. I renewed my license a few months ago. I turned over 1,000 letters from prominent people attesting to my integrity, to the way I do business. I don’t think (Don) King and the rest can promote boxing in New Jersey. But I can."

Muhammad said without belittling Roach, he described the trainer as "illiterate" in failing to understand the business of boxing. "The great trainers like Eddie Futch and Angelo Dundee never got involved in negotiating contracts for fighters because that wasn’t their expertise," said Muhammad. "Same with Freddie. I think he was misguided. Someone fooled him into thinking he could earn big money from Manny. So he got involved with some lawyers in trying to persuade Manny to sign a contract away from me for like $20 to $30 Million for five fights. That’s crazy. There’s no money like that for Manny at this stage of his career. When I confronted Freddie about it, he blamed Manny for starting the problem. That wasn’t right of Freddie. No, I haven’t forgiven him. And no, he hasn’t apologized to me."

Muhammad said while he has dissociated himself from Roach, it is up to Pacquiao and Nazario to decide whether or not to retain him as trainer. "I have nothing to do with that decision," said Muhammad.

Muhammad said HBO is seriously considering to support Pacquiao in his quest for marquee status in the network’s boxing program. If Pacquiao disposes of Juan Manuel Marquez to claim the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titles on May 22, he will go on to face Erik Morales assuming El Terrible dethrones Jesus Chavez in their World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight championship bout in Las Vegas tomorrow. Then, a third fight could be a rematch with Barrera.

The package deal is worth over $1 Million and could extend to two or three fights, depending on Pacquiao’s progress.

"My dream is to capture the imagination of the Latino fans who comprise 1/3 of the entire world boxing community," said Muhammad. "He can do it. Manny has already destroyed the King, Barrera. Next, he’ll go for Marquez’ titles. Then, it will be Morales."

Muhammad said a relationship with HBO must be mutually beneficial. "Manny has to appreciate what HBO is doing for him and I know he will show his appreciation by staying loyal to the network as he becomes a marquee millionaire fighter," said Muhammad. "Evander (Holyfield) earned over $200 Million fighting on HBO and stayed loyal. Oscar de la Hoya became a star because of HBO."

If Pacquiao plays his cards right, Muhammad said HBO will mold him into another dela Hoya, Roberto Duran or Tito Trinidad.

Last Monday, an HBO crew shot footage of Pacquiao walking up a Times Square sidewalk. Muhammad said if Pacquiao becomes a marquee fighter on HBO, he predicts the unfurling of a billboard of his likeness–at a cost of $200,000–in the smack of Times Square.

HBO president of sports Ross Greenburg, vice president of sports Kery Davis and vice president of programming Xavier James met Pacquiao and Nazario at the network’s office here last Monday. Davis and James conferred with the visitors, Muhammad and M&M Sports executive vice president Ronald Salahuddin for over two hours in clearing the way for an agreement to a multi-fight, seven-figure package deal.