By Nick Giongco
Arnold Vegafria, the business manager of Manny Pacquiao, stresses a point during a Q & A with the media on Tuesday at Sofitel. Also joining him are lawyers Brando Viernesto, left, Bong Gacal, second from right, and Pacquiao’s aide, Jayke Joson. (Nick Giongco)
What Manny Pacquiao signed with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM) is a “flexible contract”, his lawyers said on Tuesday, stressing that it focuses mainly on marketing, commercial, media, entertainment and endorsement facets of the Filipino sports hero’s relationship with the California-based outfit.
While Pacquiao’s lawyers—Brando Viernesto and Bong Gacal—and business manager Arnold Vegafria touched on boxing, Pacquiao’s bread and butter, they declared that Audie Attar, who controls PSM, can negotiate fights on behalf of the fighting senator.
Jayke Joson, one of the men behind Pacquiao’s decision to hook up with PSM, revealed that they are out to look for the best deal for the 41-year-old eight-division legend.
Pacquiao, 41, is in the twilight of an illustrious career and Joson feels Attaris going to move heaven and earth to make a mouth-watering fight with Conor McGregor a reality.
McGregor, the poster child of mix martial arts, is also a talent under Attar’s PSM and Pacquiao’s inclusion should make it easier for the two sides to reach an agreement in the event they negotiate for a super fight.
Pacquiao, according to Sean Gibbons, who operates MP Promotions, has an existing contract with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).
But Vegafria said it doesn’t prevent PSM from representing Pacquiao, who has expressed his desire to return to the ring in June or July when the Senate is on break.
PBC has yet to come up with an offersheet for Pacquiao, who last fought in July against Keith Thurman in Las Vegas. Previous to that, Pacquiao beat Adrien Broner also in Sin City.
Both fights, held before huge crowds at the MGM Grand, were staged by PBC.
Vegafria said Attar is expected to get back to them in a few weeks with something in hand.
Viernesto believes there is no conflict with PBC, and if ever one emerges, PSM’s legal team will be the one to iron things out with its PBC counterparts.
“Whatever is the issue with the other contracts, that’s up to Paradigm to resolve. We will respect the contract with Paradigm and if there other contracts out there it is up to them (PSM) to resolve,” said Viernesto.
Joson said the ultimate goal in being with PSM was to make a deal with McGregor.
“This is going to be Sen. Manny’s retirement fight, his farewell fight and this is the only fight the public wants to see because Floyd Mayweather doesn’t want anything to do with Sen. Manny,” said Joson.
“Imagine Conor McGregor and Sen. Manny facing off. That’s going to be a big, big event. A true spectacle.”
“We only had good intentions when we decided to sign up with PSM,” added Vegafria.
Attar was in Manila two weeks ago during the signing and promised to deliver the goods.
“I am working forward to the challenge and this not just about talk but (providing) the results,” said Attar.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 