Oscar De la Hoya, speaking to Cebu reporters from his training camp in Puerto Rico yesterday, announced that he has reserved a November 4 date for Marco Antonio Barrera to see action at the MGM Grand, and if Manny Pacquiao is interested, all he needs to do is pick up the phone.
"I respect Manny Pacquiao as a great warrior. Marco Barrera also respects Manny as a great warrior. But on November 4, Marco is available. If Manny is available, then let's go," Barrera said in a teleconference with Cebu and Manila mediamen at the upscale Cebu City Sports Club in Cebu.
However, before that bout can take place, both fighters need to hurdle first their respective immediate assignments.
Barrera will defend his WBC super-featherweight crown on May 20 against ex-Olympian Ricardo Juarez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Pacquiao himself is busy preparing for a June 25 non-title fight at the Araneta Coliseum, possibly against Oscar Larios or another top-rated Mexican fighter.
De la Hoya took part yesterday in a special teleconference with the media to announce his firm's tie-up with the ALA group of sportsman Tony Aldeguer where the former Olympic and world champion signed up two of Aldeguer's marquee fighters.
Eric Gomez, vice-president of the Golden Boy Promotions who flew to Cebu just for the occasion, also confirmed that indeed, Barrera will be available on November 4 and Manny Pacquiao is an opponent they are seriously considering for the event.
Leon Panoncillo, the WBO Asia-Pacific chairman who gave Bautista his break for the regional crown, also divulged that the De la Hoya outfit is cooking up something huge on November 4, which will include other top Filipino fighters.
"Of course, Barrera versus Pacquiao on that date is already huge. This is going to be the biggest event of the year," Panoncillo pointed out.
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