Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said yesterday the split between trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Justin Fortune won’t affect Manny Pacquiao’s preparations for future fights the next of which could be in September or October.
“I saw the problem coming,” said Arum referring to the estrangement that took root during the period when Roach trained Oscar de la Hoya for his fight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in Puerto Rico and left Pacquiao in Fortune’s hands at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
“I have nothing to do with that situation. I also have no idea as to the status of their relationship. But I know Manny has a lot of loyalty for Freddie and it’s his choice whom he’d like as trainer. It’s also his choice whom he’d like to fight next and we’ve got four possible opponents lined up.”
Arum said one of the candidates, Marco Antonio Barrera, has sent feelers to Top Rank that he’s now a free agent and ready to talk business. Barrera is linked to Golden Boy Promotions as a titular vice president.
“Barrera has sent word to my people,” said Arum who is in General Santos City on his fourth Philippine visit since the “Thrilla of Manila” in 1975. “We’ll find out soon if he’s now really a free agent. My people are scheduled to meet him in Mexico City next Saturday. But if he’s not a free agent, we could still sit down with Golden Boy and talk about a rematch.”
Pacquiao stopped Barrera in the 11th round four years ago.
Arum said Pacquiao’s recent knockout win over Jorge Solis in San Antonio was a success in both artistic and economic terms.
“I’m very pleased with the gate and pay-per-view buys which are still being tallied but should be about 200,000,” said Arum. “There were lots of gains for Manny in that fight. For instance, I think Manny now realizes he can’t hold back against an opponent who’s awkward and lanky, that he can’t play around and that he needs to stay aggressive like before. It was a great card and Manny’s win was a fitting cap.”
Arum said Pacquiao’s political plans will not be a hindrance to his boxing career.
“I think politics will make Manny a better person,” said Arum. “He’s showing tremendous poise, speaking very well on stage, thinking on his feet and answering questions articulately about his platform. It will definitely help his boxing career. If he wins the election, I plan to take him to Washington, D. C., to meet senators and congressmen. I see him becoming a crossover star and it could happen faster depending on the outcome of the elections.”
Arum said in boxing history, no fighter in the lower weight classes has made as resounding an impact in and out of the ring as Pacquiao. He singled out former world featherweight champions Danny (Little Red) Lopez and Salvador Sanchez as fighters who were closest to matching Pacquiao’s charisma, punching ability, aggressiveness and drawing power.
Lopez fought from 1971 to 1992 and reigned for four years. His record was 42-6, with 39 KOs. Sanchez compiled a 44-1-1 record, with 32 KOs, and died in a car accident as world champion in 1982.
Asked if Top Rank would participate in the World Cup card that Golden Boy is planning here in August or September, Arum said his group hasn’t been approached by de la Hoya.
“No comment on that one,” he said.
