“As a promoter, you always hope to sign a ‘blue chip’ athlete who will win a world title.  Today, I have signed a ‘platinum chip’ world class champion whose persona transcends sports and approaches folk lore in The Philippines.  I feel privileged that Manny has chosen me as his promoter,” said Shaw.  “Manny has a superb management team in Shelly Finkel, Nick Khan and Keith Davidson, as well as a Hall-of-Fame caliber trainer in Freddie Roach.  I look forward to working together with them and I am truly honored that the team has placed its confidence in me.  One thing we already agree on…Manny will get the biggest hotel room.”    

Pacquiao, 39-3-2 (31 KOs), a former WBC flyweight, IBF super jr. featherweight champion, and The Ring magazine featherweight champion, will be facing Hector Velazquez, 42-10-2 (31 KOs), from Mexico, in a 12-round super featherweight bout, Saturday, September 10, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.  HBO will televise it live, along with the second main event, another 12-round super featherweight fight pitting three-time world champion Erik Morales, 48-2 (34 KOs), against 1996 U.S. Olympian Zahir Raheem, 26-1 (16 KOs).