NUJP urges Pacquiao to act on aides' attack on photographer
Philippine journalists on Thursday asked boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao to take action against two of his aides who reportedly manhandled a photojournalist following Pacquiao's stunning knockout by Juan Manuel Marquez last Sunday.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines scored the attack by Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez on Getty Images photographer Al Bello, according to a report on "Saksi."
"Such boorish action by the members of Team Pacquiao, no matter how distraught they were by his loss, is inexcusable," the group was quoted in the report as saying.
Bello was taking photos of the fallen Pacquiao when Koncz tried to grab him while Fernandez kicked at him.
The report said Bello wants an apology from the two, while the Nevada State Athletic Commission is investigating the incident.
A separate report on Yahoo Sports quoted Bello as saying that had he not gotten off the ring, "I have no doubt the two of them would have beaten the [expletive] out of me and I might have been seriously hurt."
But Yahoo Sports said that even after Bello jumped off the apron, Fernandez still tried to go after him.
It quoted Koncz as saying in a text message that the incident was just a misunderstanding, though Koncz no longer responded when Yahoo Sports said there was photographic evidence of both Koncz and Fernandez attacking Bello.
Yahoo Sports also quoted Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, as saying he would review the incident and may consider potential penalties against Koncz and Fernandez.
'Koncz issues apology'
A report on LiveFight.com said Koncz had issued an apology via Ring TV to Bello.
"There was a misunderstanding. And if it was construed any other way, then he has my sincerest apology," Koncz told RingTV.
"I think in the heat of concern for Manny's health and safety at that moment, there was a misunderstanding between the cameraman, myself and Buboy. So on behalf of Buboy and myself, we apologize for any inconvenience that it may have caused to the cameraman," he added. — LBG, GMA News
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