Finkel: Manny to train 6-8 weeks for Morales

Manny Pacquiao must be in the best shape of his life to beat Erik Morales in their Las Vegas grudge rematch on Jan. 21.

That’s the word from Pacquiao’s manager Shelly Finkel who told The STAR yesterday "Morales will be up for the rematch to prove he is still great" and the Filipino slugger will need six to eight weeks of training to prepare for what could be the biggest fight in his career.

Finkel declined to divulge how much Pacquiao is earning for his next fight but when asked to comment on reports that the purse package will include a guaranteed sum and a share of the pay-per-view buys and site fee, he said, "you have the basics of his deal correct."

As a matter of principle, Finkel never discloses to media how much of a purse he is able to negotiate for any of his fighters.

A source said Pacquiao will receive a guaranteed paycheck of at least $1.75 million plus 40 percent of the pay-per-view net receipts and 40 percent of the site fee for the rematch. Assuming 350,000 pay-per-view buys at $50 a shot and expenses amounting to 70 percent of the gross, Pacquiao will take in $2.1 million as his share of the cable subscriptions. The first Pacquiao-Morales fight generated about 350,000 hook-ups last March. And if hotel owner Steve Wynn makes good on his rumored offer of $5 million for the site rights, it will mean an extra $2 million for Pacquiao. In all, he could pocket close to $6 million for the rematch.

Finkel predicted Pacquiao will beat Morales when they square off again.

"I believe Manny with his focus and training regimen will be victorious," said Finkel who signed a two-year contract to manage Pacquiao last February.

In a previous interview, Finkel noted that Pacquiao lost only by two points to Morales in the judges’ scorecards despite pre-fight distractions. "He was also fighting adversity with a cut that was bothering him from the early rounds," added Finkel, referring to the wound that was opened by an accidental headbutt.

Morales was ahead in the scorecards by a single point entering the 10th round so the outcome was settled down the stretch. It was that close.

As for Pacquiao’s sixth round disposal of Hector Velazquez in Los Angeles last Saturday, Finkel admitted, "I was a little nervous in the first two rounds but then I saw Manny taking charge."

Pacquiao’s unusually slow start fueled momentum for Velazquez to take the early initiative.

"He started a little slower than I would have liked," said Finkel.

After referee Lou Moret signaled the end of the fight at the end of the sixth round, Finkel joined in the celebration inside the ring.

"The first thing I told Manny was how happy for him I was," said Finkel. "He trained hard for this fight. His mind has been clear and it should even be better for Morales."

Finkel said the Filipino nation’s overwhelming support is a big boost for Pacquiao.

"I think that the support from his fans at home gives him extra strength in the ring," said Finkel.

Finkel, 61, was once described by KO Magazine as "one of the premier managers of the game" and by writer Don Majeski as "boxing’s last great manager, perhaps the only manager around today."

Since his first involvement in boxing in 1977, Finkel has managed the careers of a slew of champions like Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Evander Holyfield, Mark Breland, Vinnie Pazienza, Mike McCallum, Michael Moorer, Fernando Vargas, Vivian Harris, Jeff Lacy and Mike Tyson.

A Shodan karate black belter, Finkel was raised in the tough Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. He used to promote rock concerts and in 1973, made history by drawing over 600,000 fans to witness a show featuring the Allman Brothers, The Band and Grateful Dead in a speedway on a farm at Watkins Glen, New York. Finkel once managed the hard rock band Vanilla Fudge and took one of the group’s albums to the top of the charts, selling over a million copies.

Finkel said he considers Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee part of his family. "In that relationship, I try to look over him and her and guide them in the way that I think would be best for their life now and in the future," continued Finkel who has been married to his wife Beth for 29 years with three children.

Finkel said he plans to visit the Philippines after Thanksgiving, which falls in late November.

"I hope to get the chance to visit the Philippines to tell Manny’s fans he’s in good hands," said Finkel in an earlier interview. "I regard Manny as a national treasure of the Philippines and I’ll do everything to make him bigger in his country and all over the world."

Pacquiao fondly calls Finkel "The Brain" as the head of his management team that also includes lawyers Keith Davidson and Nick Khan.