Son of boxing promoter Arum missing on hike

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum was excited about this week's promotional tour to hype the Nov. 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. But Arum's enthusiasm quickly was tempered when he learned Tuesday that his son John was missing while hiking in North Cascades National Park in Washington state last weekend.

Arum was supposed to be in New York on Wednesday for the second day of the promotional tour. Instead, the Hall of Fame boxing promoter was in Washington providing whatever assistance he could to authorities, who have been searching for his son since Monday when he was first reported missing by his wife, Susan, after he didn't return home Sunday night.

Arum will not attend Friday's final news conference in Dallas, either. The Pacquiao-Margarito fight will be at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Park spokesperson Kerry Olson said five teams of four persons each have been searching for three days in the three areas where Arum might have been. Also, air searches were conducted Monday and Wednesday afternoon. The Chelan County Sheriff's Department also has provided assistance to the park rangers in the search.

John Arum, 49, is an environmental attorney who lives in Seattle. He is an experienced hiker and outdoorsman and was attempting to scale 5,377-foot Storm King Peak on Marble Mountain.

Family members said Arum has been on a quest to climb the 100 highest summits in Washington. He had 18 peaks remaining to reach his goal, they said.

Arum was hiking alone. A tent that had binoculars and sunglasses belonging to him were located in the park.

Arum learned of his son's disappearance Tuesday while in Los Angeles to kick off the promotional tour. He decided to participate in the event before he and his wife, Lovee, boarded a plane for Seattle.

Arum drove to the park, located about 230 miles northeast of Seattle, on Wednesday morning.

In a statement released by Top Rank on Wednesday, Arum said: "The (park) rangers are absolutely qualified. They know what they're doing, and I have a good feeling they'll find John."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.