Koncz and Arum to discuss Pacquiao's next foe in Macau
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 May 2014
Who Manny Pacquiao will fight next is expected to shape up this week when Top Rank big boss Bob Arum and the Filipino boxing hero?s business consultant Mike Koncz meet in Macau.
Koncz leaves for China?s gambling capital Wednesday where he is scheduled to meet with Arum the following day for preliminary talks on the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion?s next dance partner.
Arum will be in Macau to oversee another Filipino, Nonito Donaire, who battles South African World Boxing Association featherweight titleholder Simpiwe Vetyeka on Saturday.
?It will be all preliminaries and nothing is definite yet,? Koncz told this writer in a telephone conversation yesterday. ?Of course, we will be discussing who among the names being considered has a chance, but as I said, nothing more will be decided.?
Koncz even refused to consider Pacquiao?s arch-rival, Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, as leading the race as several sectors projected, especially following the four-division titlist?s recent victory over Mike Alvarado a weekend ago and the Filipino?s overwhelming erstwhile unbeaten Timothy Bradley last month.
?They?re all speculations and everything?s still hangs in the air,? he said, hinting that Marquez himself, has been quoted repeatedly as not anymore interested in a fifth fight with Pacquiao contrary to his statements prior to the Alvarado bout that he was willing to.
Everybody in the Mexican?s camp, including trainer Nacho Beristain had expressed opposition to another showdown with the eight-division champ, saying their boys had nothing more to prove on the strength of his emphatic sixth round knockout triumph over the Sarangani Congressman two years ago.
After four encounters held in the span of a decade, Pacquiao still leads, 2-1 win-loss slate with one draw.
Even Pacquiao has been mum on the prospect of who he wants to face next, merely saying it?s all depends on his promoter.
?Depends on my promoter,? was all he said during the traditional post-fight press conference following his dealing Bradley the American?s first defeat in his career.
?As I have been saying, I will fight anybody, anytime, any place my promoter wants me to,? the father of five to wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee, often declares. ?Wala tayong pinipili kahit sino pa, as long as I can make fans happy.?
Also to be taken up during Arum?s meeting with Koncz is the fight venue and date, which is most-likely Macau should the choice will be Marquez, and November, respectively.
Others being considered are Pacquiao?s former Russian sparring partners and friends Ruslan Provodnikov and Shawn Porter, Amir Khan and Keith Thurman.
Photo: Koncz (R) with Pacquiao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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