Manila, Philippines – Top Rank chief Bob Arum is tentatively set to arrive in Manila on Aug. 3 to dot the Is and cross the Ts regarding Manny Pacquiao’s much-awaited ring return on Nov. 10.
Reporting from Los Angeles, Arum told the Bulletin on Friday that Pacquiao’s choice as an opponent is a tossup between American Tim Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez although the name of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto will also be thrown into the mix.
Arum said the trip to the Philippines is important because he intends to program the timetable for the November bout owing to Top Rank’s tight schedule in the remaining months of 2012.
Top Rank has lined up three major events starting with the Sept. 15 headliner featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, the Oct. 20 clash between Nonito Donaire and Jorge Arce possibly at the AT&T Arena in San Antonio, Texas and the November comeback of Pacquiao probably in Las Vegas.
“I will be staying for a few days and once I get everything done, I will schedule the press conference (announcing Pacquiao’s next fight) in late-August,” said Arum, although the 80-year-old Hall of Fame promoter would already know who the opponent is by the time he heads back to the US from the Philippines.
To expedite the selection process, Arum and Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s Canadian right-hand man, will meet up this weekend in Los Angeles. (Nick Giongco)
Incoming search terms:
- manila bulletin (82)
6 
34 
1326
Loading ...