KONCZ DOWNGRADES ARUM?S PROPOSAL FOR PACQUIAO TO FIGHT ABREGU
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jun 2014
?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz has effectively downgraded the proposal of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for Pacquiao to fight Argentina?s Luis Abregu in Macau on November 22.
Top Rank?s matchmakers headed by Hall of Famer Bruce Trampler had recommended Abregu who is ranked No. 2 by the WBC and No. 4 by the WBO where Pacquiao is welterweight champion.
Koncz told the Manila Standard Abregu ?is not the top one on our list. We are not too excited about that (fight).?
The 30 year old Abregu has an impressive record of 30-1 with 21 knockouts. His only setback was a twelve round unanimous decision loss to former WBO welterweight champion Timothy ?Desert Storm? Bradley on July 17, 2010 after which Abregu won the vacant WBC Silver title with a ten round unanimous decision over Antonio Decane (27-1, 8 KO?s) on April 27, 2013 and an 8th round TKO victory over undefeated Venezuelan southpaw Jean Carlos Prada (30-0-1, 21 KO?s) last April 4.
He disclosed that he ?went over the names (of proposed opponents) briefly with Manny yesterday (Monday) and we talked about each fighter, the pros and cons. We will look at some video and then we?ll decide.?
Koncz said ?We will make a decision at the end of the family vacation of Manny (to Israel and Britain) by the last week of June.?
The adviser declined to reveal the names of the opponents listed down in the options presented by Top Rank because, he said, ?it will be detrimental to negotiations because they will think we are chasing them.?
He also said the November 22 date for Pacquiao?s return in Macau was approved.
Although Arum had suggested while in Macau that five-division world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? would be on the Pacquiao card Koncz discarded the proposal claiming it wouldn?t be an advantage business-wide for Pacquiao whose MP Promotions is a co-promoter of his fights with Top Rank.
Koncz said ?how is he going to sell one more ticket that Manny can?t sell?? Reminded by the Standard that the full-house at the Cotai Arena when Donaire won the WBA featherweight title from Simpiwe Vetyeka and the chants of ?Nonito! Nonito!? by the fans showed he had his fans, Koncz replied ?I?m not saying he doesn?t have fans, I?m not talking bad about him, Manny will sell the entire Philippine audience. No matter who you put on the card, they are not going to bring in anything substantial as to the Philippine audience. Manny will do all of that.?
Koncz posed the question ?Why will we spend $1 million in profits on a fight that?s not going to generate any actual additional income, if it does, it will be very little. It makes no business sense. We are co-promoters so we share in the expenses, we share in the profits.? He made it clear that ?unless Bob Arum can tell me how it's financially advantageous to us? Donaire won?t be on the Pacquiao card in Macau.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025