Manny Pacquiao clarifies he's still partners with Sean Gibbons amidst decision-making issue

Manny Pacquiao is still friends and partners with Sean Gibbons. Ivan Saldajeno (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Former boxing champion turned promoter Manny Pacquiao clarified on Wednesday that his partnership with Sean Gibbons is not going sour amid rumors that the latter has made a decision for their promotion without the former's knowledge.

The 44-year-old former senator clarified during an event organized by Alaxan FR on Wednesday that he’s not upset with anybody and Gibbons still represents MP Promotions.

“Nag rerepresent pa rin siya sa MP Promotions, at siyempre inuutusan ko siya to represent us,” Pacquiao said, adding that there is no rift between him and Gibbons.

Rumors of Gibbons' dubious decision-making sparked when a video circulated seemingly showing someone inquiring Pacquiao about something during the Gabriel "Flash" Elorde Boxing Awards on Saturday night at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque.

The inquiry was said to be about a decision Gibbons made that Pacquiao was not aware of.

Pacquiao was in a conversation with fellow Filipino boxing legend Nonito Donaire when it happened.

Gibbons denied the allegation of not letting Pacquiao know about his decisions.

“That was a fake video,” Gibbons said.

Pacquiao, however, confirmed that someone indeed asked him about it but decided to keep mum since he really had no idea what was going on.

“May tinanong sa akin na may ginawang decision daw si Gibbons na hindi ko alam. Eh hindi ko naman alam yun basta ang sa akin pag hindi ko alam baket ko sasagutin. Wala namang problem siya so far sa akin,” Pacquiao said.

Meanwhile, the former eight-division boxing king added that there is no any latest update yet from Gibbons about his upcoming fight abroad.

“Wala pang latest update sa kanya kung ano yung mga ginagawa niya sa US,” he added.

Gibbons is currently negotiating a comeback fight for Pacquiao later this year.

Last month, Gibbons revealed that negotiations for a welterweight showdown between Pacquiao and Conor Benn in Abu Dhabi sometime in June is ongoing, but there’s no formality to it yet.

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