ARUM SAYS PACQUIAO?S DELAY IS NO PROBLEM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 25 Jul 2008
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says the decision of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao to delay his scheduled Thursday departure for Las Vegas so he could be present during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?s State-Of-The-Nation Address on Monday, ?creates absolutely no problem.?
In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph Arum said ?I guess Ms. Arroyo takes precedence over the (Miguel)Cotto ? (Antonio) Margarito fight which Manny could watch on television in any case.?
Arum said he understands Pacquiao?s decision to remain in Manila and skip watching the blockbuster showdown at special ringside which he had earlier planned to do before discussing a possible megabuck fight with Oscar De La Hoya on December 6.
Pacquiao felt that he owed it to President Arroyo to be present at the SONA since she has long been one of his staunchest supporters even before he became a world champion. Pacquiao?s decision also meant that he would not be able to watch his prot?g?, North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion defend his title against tough Adam Carrera on the undercard of the Cotto-Margarito battle.
However, Pacquiao?s postponed departure may allow him to be present at the WBA Interim super flyweight championship between AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and Panama ?s Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday. His presence would be a boost to Banal whom he has commended as a very promising young fighter.
Arum noted that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who is on vacation in Europe returns on Wednesday night so there was no hurry to discuss the planned De La Hoya fight with Pacquiao. Arum said the only individual who negotiates on behalf of Golden Boy Promotions is Schaefer and ?I will have time to meet with Manny on Tuesday, which is fine.?
The astute boxing promoter revealed that ?after Richard made his first proposal to me (on a De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight) I told him I would get back to him after I talk to Manny. I can?t negotiate until I get some directions from Manny.?
Arum expressed confidence that ?if something is going to happen? regarding a De La Hoya fight he expected details to be finalized by August 15 since both Arum and Schaefer would be in New York on August 13 to announce the Kelly Pavlik-Bernard Hopkins fight.
Arum disclosed that he would be in Macau for four days at the invitation of the owner of the plush Venetian in the former crown colony of Portugal which is now part of China , who is celebrating his 75th birthday and would return to California where he and Schaefer would have ?plenty of time to negotiate.?
Arum also talked about his plans to finalize a title defense by the newly-signed IBF flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire where he would be the featured main event against mandatory challenger Moruti ?Baby Face? Mthalane of South Africa who won a lopsided twelve round decision over Hussein Hussein in a title eliminator last July 5.
He added that Mexican warrior Jorge Arce will fight on the same card prior to a planned first quarter super flyweight battle between Donaire and Arce in Manila saying it was something he ?promised? Peter Chanliong of Solar Sports.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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