Michael Koncz Denies He Was Sacked by Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao's Canadian Adviser Michael Koncz has denied earlier reports saying he was sacked by his Filipino boxing superstar boss Manny Pacquiao.

In his July 18 Philboxing.com column, boxing promoter and former Governor Manny Pinol said that according to his "very reliable source", Michael Koncz has been dismissed by Manny Pacquiao as his adviser and Manager of MP Promotions.

The news drew fireworks in Internet boxing sites moments after the news came out on the July 18 edition of Phiboxing.com.

In his first reaction to the unfolding story, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Lem Satterfiield of The Ring, the news is not true at all.

"No, it's all bullsh*t. I know someone who has talked to Manny, and it's all nonsense. It's all a made up story," said Arum. "Up until a few hours ago, when I talked to [Filipino reporter] Ronnie Nathanielsz, who called me after he had dinner with Manny last night, I didn't know what to say. Now I do."

"I know who started it, but I'm not going to tell you. I know why they started it. There are a lot of these people are looking to get rid of Michael so that they can feather their own nest," said Arum.

"Ronnie Nathanielz had dinner with Manny last night, and said that Manny laughed it off and laughed up a storm about it," said Arum. "So it's all baloney. Ronnie said that Manny called it 'a bunch of hooey.' "

In his talk with Boxingscene.com, Knocz denied he was fired by Pacquiao, saying he has a brief talk with the Filipino ring icon a few hours ago.

In their conversation over the phone, Koncz said he asked Pacquiao if he was indeed fired because the news is all over the Internet and he said its not true. 

According to Koncz Pacquiao told him "I will tell you personally when I don't need you anymore or don't want you anymore"

Likewise, in another Philboxing column by Homer D. Sayson, Top Rank publicist Lee Samuels also denied the dismissal of Koncz.

"We received over 50 calls today asking about the story, Kevin Iole called, Dan Rafeal called. The story isn't true," the affable Samuels told me over the phone a little over an hour ago (4:50 pm Monday and 5:50 am Tuesday RP Time).

Aside from responses to calls from media, Pacquiao has yet to make official statement on the reported firing of his long-time adviser.