Arum rules out Abu Dhabi, considers Marquez trilogy
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Mar 2011
Promoter Bob Arum has virtually ruled out a fight in Abu Dhabi for World Boxing Organization champ Manny Pacquiao and at the same time expressed the possibility of the Filipino ring icon completing a much-awaited trilogy with the Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.
Arum, who is in the country to observe preparations undertaken by the Filipino ring idol for his coming title-confrontation with Sugar Shane Mosley, said in an interview with selected newsmen Sunday in Baguio City that he welcomes the idea of Pacquiao fighting in that oil-rich Middle East country but expressed apprehension about the time difference and the economics.
It would be a great privilege for us to have a Manny Pacquiao appear in a championship fight in Abu Dhabi because there are so many Filipinos there and in nearby Dubai,? Arum, who visited Dubai a few years ago and took a drive to Abu Dhabi, said
Arum, an International Boxing Hall of Famer who visited Dubai in 2008 for the opening of the Atlantis resort and took a drive to Abu Dhabi, leaves today for Las Vegas.
?It really would be ideal for all the Filipino workers for Manny to fight in Abu Dhabi "The only problem is that in order for it to work economically, the fight would have to be held in conjunction with New York time because that's where the big revenue is in pay-per-view .?
The idea of the eight-division champion seeing action in Dubai came from his Canadian adviser Michael Koncz who actually, has been working on the possibility, precisely, looking forward to the patronage from Filipinos working in the area.
"We can work out the money," he said. ?But staging a fight in that country would mean that it should takes place at 6 o?clock or 7 in the morning in Abu Dhabi which is equivalent to 11 p.m. Saturday in New York.?
"Do you think people will be willing to come out at that early hour of morning to watch a boxing match? That's the question," he said.
He noted though that when Ali and Joe Frazier fought in the historic "Thrilla in Manila" in October 1975, the opening bell rang at 10.45am Philippine time in order to accommodate major television markets on the opposite side of the globe.
Likewise, when Ali fought Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" prior to that in Zaire in 1974, which began at 5 a.m. Kinshasa time. "Again, that would have to be an adjustment that would have to be made," Arum said, "And I don?t know whether that's possible."
"All of it would be great. And it would be great for the world if we could hold an event there. But the only problem is the time," he said.
The Harvard University law graduate then shifted the talk to Marquez, who fought Pacquiao twice managing a draw in 2004 before losing on a split decision in a gruelling 12-round war in 2008.
?That would be a good fight even in the economic point of view since that would decide who really is the best fighter between them,? Arum reasoned out.
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