By Ricardo Lois

February 4, 2005 - In a surprise business maneuver Featherweight Champion Manny Pacquiao dropped his Filipino manager Marty Elorde and inked a two-year deal with American Shelly Finkel this past Tuesday.

To make matters even more interesting, David Avila of Maxboxing reports the Pinoy star will be dropping Murad Muhammad as his promoter.

With legal responses likely to follow from Elorde and Muhammad, one has to wonder, why Pacquiao would initiate these moves just six weeks prior to a mega-fight with Erik Morales? The potential distractions could prove ruinous to a fighter preparing for one of the greatest challenges of his career.

Specifically regarding Shelly Finkel, Pacquiao must be questioned for taking on the manager at this point in his career.

If Pacquiao's next fight goes of without hitch, he will have fought Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Marco Antonio Barrera in succession. Manny Pacquiao will earn a seven-figure payday against Erik Morales. Mary Elorde on the surface seemingly has done an excellent job of managing Pacquiao.

What can Shelly do for Manny?

Take his money.

Shelly cannot make Manny any bigger a star, get him bigger fights, or make him more money. Pacquiao already has those things.

Interesting how Manny Pacquiao has always been touted as a simple man, training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California and living at a near by motel. With Shelly Finkel in the mix, several sources report of "Pac-Man" being swooped up in a new truck and being put up in a upscale apartment.

For Pacquiao's sake, I hope the new manager and lifestyle don't take a negative effect inside the ring because come March 19th, he will be facing one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport.