GENERAL SANTOS City —Top Rank chairman Bob Arum revealed the reasons yesterday why Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic has the inside track among four fighters being considered to lock horns with Manny Pacquiao and why Juan Manuel Marquez is among the very least being eyed.
Arum told Manila-based scribes that handlers of Guzman, the reigning World Boxing Organization super-featherweight titlist, met with him just before he flew to Manila.
If plans push thrugh, Pacquiao’s match against Guzman is likely be held not earlier than September
Guzman is represented by Sycuan Promotions, a southern California-based outfit, which has a major stake in promoting the unbeaten and flashy Guzman although Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) also has links with the New York-based puncher.
“GBP has a minor part in Guzman,” said Arum, who arrived in the country on Thursday for a four-day visit.
Arum, who helped promote the 1975 Thrilla in Manila, is also studying matchups with Marco Antonio Barrera and Humberto Soto of Mexico and Edwin Valero of Venezuela.
“I have been told by people in Mexico that Barrera no longer has a contract with GBP and he is dying to meet Pacquiao,” said Arum.
But Arum is skeptical.
“We will not negotiate with Barrera unless he shows proof that he no longer has promotional ties with GBP.”
Soto will only get into the picture if he beats Manny’s younger brother Bobby on June 9 in New York and Arum is confident that a revenge angle is sure to add zest to this pairing.
The Tokyo-based Valero, undefeated with all 22 wins by knockout, is promoted by Akihiko Honda, who Arum said is “a good friend of mine.”
But if a bout with Valero is arranged, it will take place in Macau “where a 17,000-seat arena will be ready to host the fight.”
The heavy-handed Valero is not cleared to fight on US soil because he failed to pass a brain examination.
As for Marquez, Arum said the Mexican’s camp, headed by Ignacio Beristain, “is demanding a lot of money” not to mention Marquez’s lack of “fan base.”
“He wants more money because he has the (World Boxing Council superfeatherweight) belt and the other guys don’t demand because they know they’ll earn big paydays by fighting Pacquiao,” said the Harvard-educated Arum, who once served under the Kennedy administration.
