ARUM MANEUVERS FOR MARQUEZ-SOTO DUEL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Mar 2007
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has asked the World Boxing Council to “enforce Humberto Soto” as the mandatory challenger to newly crowned WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez even though Manny Pacquiao is listed as the mandatory challenger.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had been informed by the WBC that on the same day Manny Pacquiao informed the WBC that he wanted to retain his mandatory position to fight Marquez, Arum had “interestingly” pushed for a Soto mandatory against Marquez.
Pacquiao’s close friend and confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud confirmed the report and indicated he couldn’t understand what Arum was up to while Schaefer posed the question, “who is Arum looking out for?.”
Arum in an earlier interview with Felipe Leon of Fight News said that he didn’t think the best fight for Pacquiao would be a rematch against Marquez or former champion Marco Antonio Barrera. Arum said “I think there are some major fights out there and the most difficult fight would be with Humberto Soto” who is handled by Top Rank and is currently ranked No.2 behind Pacquiao.
Arum claimed that people who love boxing would love to see a Pacquiao-Soto battle adding, “it would be a very interesting fight.”
At the same time Arum downplayed the attraction of Marquez saying the new world champion “is a good fighter but can’t draw flies.” Arum handled Marquez when he fought Pacquiao to a draw but Marquez left Top Rank after he failed to get a rematch and Arum instead matched Erik “El Terrible” Morales against Pacquiao in what turned out to be an epic trilogy.
Schaefer revealed that Golden Boy has a September 15 HBO pay-per-view date at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas which he said “is locked in for the return of Marquez.” Schaefer indicated that they would know the opponent of Marquez in a month or two and that it will be “an exciting card which I am sure will feature several of our rising stars from your great country (the Philippines.)”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025