Manny Pacquiao leaves for the United States on Thursday, hoping to hit a jackpot with the finalization of a proposed mouth-watering December date with Oscar De La Hoya.
In Las Vegas, Pacquiao will meet with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum to discuss the merits of the De La Hoya bout being penciled for Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand.
“I will have to know Manny?s financial terms when he gets here,” said Arum, who has been holding talks with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer the past several days on the subject of De La Hoya?s farewell fight.
Schaefer, who calls the shots in De La Hoya?s affairs, is on vacation in Europe and will only be back next week.
Pacquiao will be accompanied by lawyer Jing Gacal. They are expected to return to Manila on July 30 with a clear picture of Pacquiao?s next fight.
Arum said the identity of the fighter De La Hoya will face will be known after this weekend?s big fight in Las Vegas involving Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and Mexican Antonio Margarito.
De La Hoya said he is also seriously considering Cotto provided that he gets past Margarito.
“Oscar won?t fight another Mexican,” said Arum, stressing that in the event Margarito upsets Cotto, De La Hoya will not agree to take on Margarito.
Late last week, De La Hoya expressed his desire to rumble with Pacquiao, regarded as the best fighter in the world today pound for pound, through his childhood friend Eric Gomez, who is also vice president of the Los Angeles-based GBP.
Pacquiao is reportedly asking $ 20 million for a De La Hoya fight that ringsiders believe has what it takes to become a new box-office and pay-per-view record.
De La Hoya?s clash with Floyd Mayweather last year got over two million buys ? at $ 54.95 per subscription ? and generated almost $ 20 million in gate receipts, which is another record.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Olympic Committee is urging Pacquiao to coordinate with officials assigned to facilitate his travel documents for the application of a Chinese visa needed for him to attend the Beijing Olympics.
Pacquiao was assigned by President Gloria Arroyo as special envoy and flag-carrier as well.
The boxing icon, the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight king, is scheduled to hand over his passport today to a ranking POC official for processing.
The boxer is in Manila and he is attending a victory party that former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson is hosting tonight.
Sports officials do not see any problems with the early release of Pacquiao?s passport so he can leave for the US as scheduled Thursday night.
“Iba na ang superstar,” said chief of mission, Bacolod Rep. and POC first vice president Monico Puentevella.
