Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao confirmed Thursday that he is fighting either Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera or another fighter in April next year, with Top Rank’s Bob Arum promoting the fight.
In a press conference at the Manila Hotel, Arum challenged Barrera, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion, to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas this April.
Arum added that if Barrera turns down the offer, the Filipino will face another fighter in Macau on April 28.
Arum flew to General Santos City earlier this week to try to convince Pacquiao to honor his four-year contract with Top Rank over a seven-fight deal the fighter signed with Oscar de la Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions.
The fight over promoters resulted in the WBC cancelling its ultimatum for a purse bid between Pacquiao and Barrera after the Filipino’s spectacular win over Mexican Erik Morales earlier this month. With the cancellation, Golden Boy Promotions said Barrera will fight World Boxing Organization champion Juan Manuel Marquez on March 17, 2007.
Pacquiao, 28, is the reigning WBC International Super Featherweight Champion, former The Ring People’s Featherweight Champion, former International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight Champion and former WBC Flyweight Champion.
He was chosen “Fighter of the Year” by www.boxingtimes.com and Ted the Bull?s Boxing Awards for 2006 after his spectacular wins over Morales and Oscar Larios.
