Pacquiao eyes return to Las Vegas in April
After two fights in Texas, Manny Pacquiao appears ready to return to Las Vegas.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum confirmed Wednesday that he has secured an April 16 date at the MGM Grand Garden for Pacquiao’s next fight. The fight probably would be televised by HBO Pay-Per-View.
”I have to meet with Manny and make sure he’s OK with it,” Arum said. ”It’s an ideal date, right after the Final Four and at the start of the baseball season and right around the beginning of the NBA playoffs.
”As long as it doesn’t interfere with his duties in Congress (in the Philippines), I think we’ll be in good shape. I’m flying to Manila on the 12th … we should know more then.”
Arum said Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains the preferred opponent for Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts), who has won titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions after defeating Antonio Margarito by unanimous decision Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas, for the vacant WBC super welterweight championship.
Mayweather and promoter Don King met last weekend in Florida, but no deal was struck.
”I talked to King the other day, but he doesn’t have a deal with Floyd,” Arum said. ”But if King got control of Mayweather, it would make things a lot easier to make a deal to fight Manny.”
If not Mayweather, Pacquiao’s next opponent would be either Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez or Andre Berto, Arum said.
Arum and Top Rank president Todd duBoef have had conversations with all three fighters’ handlers, and it ultimately will be Pacquiao’s call.
”We are working with the caveat that if Mayweather would be available, a fight with Mayweather trumps everything else,” Arum said.
Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach has said he would have no problem facing any of the three fighters. But Pacquiao will not drop below 144½ pounds, Arum said.
At this point, there’s no clear-cut favorite for Pacquiao’s next opponent.
”I have Berto’s position. I have Mosley’s position,” Arum said. ”I’m waiting on Marquez’s position. If we don’t get one (from Marquez), we’ll move on.”
Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.