The numbers, the figures, the bottom line is what everyone is about today.
With the sensational performance by Manny Pacquiao several Saturdays ago, many critics and boxing fans were questioning as to how well the ?Pacman? might perform on a Pay-Per-View in which he basically carried on his own back. I just spoke with Top Rank founder, Bob ?Bobfather? Arum regarding the numbers and the potential November opponent for Pacquiao.
BB: I heard through the grapevine that Pacquiao-Diaz did about 250,000 buys. What?s the deal on this figure?
Arum: Comcast corporate won?t release any official number to us so it?s hard to say as to the exact amount of buys that took place. It?s hard to say what is exactly what but that number of 250,000 is about right from what I?ve heard. We?re pretty happy with the result. We probably got a little greedy throughout the media promotion and tours being that the live fan turnout was so great.
BB: Still though, 250,000 isn?t a bad figure being that it was basically Pacquiao selling on his own.
Arum: Exactly. If somebody had told us before we signed the fight that we?d do about 250,000 buys, I?d be very happy with that figure.
BB: So what?s going on with Edwin Valero getting cleared to fight in Nevada?
Arum: I have no idea. I was looking over the papers for him to fight in Texas and it makes me very optimistic that he?ll get cleared to fight in Nevada. There was an outside neurosurgeon that cleared Valero to fight in Texas and there?s no way that he would have allowed him to pass if he was in any danger due to his injury.
BB: What happens if he doesn?t get cleared to fight in Nevada? Is there anybody else you?re potentially looking at to fight Pacquiao?
Arum: Yes, it?s either going to be Valero or Soto but we?ll wait and see in the meanwhile.
BB: Sounds good Bob. Take it easy.
Arum: Thanks and take care.
250,000 isn?t bad with all things considered. A miserable financial crisis, no Erik Morales standing across the ring, and sky high plane ticket prices didn?t deter 250,000 households from shelling out the cash to see today?s best pound-for-pound fighter do what he does best? beat people down.
On another note, the potential clash between Manny Pacquiao and Edwin Valero will be a good barometer as to the power of the internet. Should this thing known as the ?world wide web? cease to exist, I cannot fathom how any of us would even have a clue as to who Valero is.
Can you?
Either Soto or Valero will make for an extremely thrilling match-up this coming November as the ?Pacman? continues his march to boxing immortality as he continues taking on the best that the 135 pound division has to offer. I can?t wait for November and 2009 as it will undoubtedly be one of Manny?s best?
