MANNY PACQUIAO’s adviser MICHAEL KONCZ confirmed that the boxer and entertainer 50 CENT are “going to move forward with a joint promotional venture,” according to Rick Reeno of BOXING SCENE. Sources previously had advised that TMT Promotions, the promotional company recently started by 50 Cent, was “already closing shop.” 50 Cent back in July “announced the formation of TMT Promotions, and quickly signed" boxers YURIORKIS GAMBOA, BILLY DIBB, CELESTINO CABALLERO and ANDRE DIRRELL. 50 Cent also obtained a “promoter's license in New York, and submitted paperwork to get a license in Las Vegas.” Koncz said that Pacquiao and 50 Cent are “going to come together to form their own promotional company.” Boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. was “initially discussed as a partner -- but he doesn't appear to be involved.” Koncz said, "50 Cent and I have been talking now for maybe the last two months. They approached us with the idea to form a promotional company. Initially it was going to be 50 Cent, Manny and Floyd. But right now I don't think Floyd is going to be a part of it.” He added, "I think with 50 Cent, with his entertainment connections and his popularity there, combining that with Manny's popularity and expertise in boxing -- we can bring a new flavor to boxing -- we can excite some young boxers and I think we can sign some top quality boxers” (BOXINGSCENE.com, 9/13). YAHOO SPORTS’ Kevin Iole noted there is “a chance” that a Pacquiao-50 Cent promotional company could “wind up putting on some shows, or even a big show.” It “wouldn't be out of the question for it to last a couple of years, though the smart money would be heavily against that.” Boxing history “would suggest its chances of long-term success are virtually nil.” What is "most likely is that [50 Cent] sees the opportunity to promote, or co-promote, a bout involving either Pacquiao or Mayweather (or the two against each other) as a simple way to make a lot of money in a short period of time” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/13).
