For the past few years, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has talked wistfully about putting on big boxing cards in Macau, the burgeoning Chinese gambling mecca that rivals Las Vegas.
Arum has talked about various possibilities, including bringing the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao, Asia’s most significant fighter, there. But none of the plans have yet worked out.
Now, however, Arum says the plans are more firm.
Before Arum left Thursday for Macau, where he will spend a few days and take in a U.S. Olympic basketball team exhibition game, he told ESPN.com that he had Monday meetings planned with officials from the Venetian Macao resort to finalize plans for an Oct. 11 card, which would be televised back to the United States live on pay-per-view in the morning (Macau has a 12-hour time difference from the East Coast).
“They want the card and we’re going to work out the details,” Arum said. “We’ll go at night Macau time and send it back to the U.S. in the morning. It’ll be breakfast and boxing at Macau Venetian.”
Headlining the card, which will have a heavy Filipino flavor, would be flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire (19-1, 12 KOs) of the Philippines, who recently signed with Top Rank. Arum said he’ll face South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane (22-1, 15 KOs), the mandatory challenger.
Arum said the card would also include:
? Junior flyweight titlist Ulises Solis (27-1-2, 20 KOs) defending against Filipino-American Brian Viloria (22-2, 13 KOs), a 2000 U.S. Olympian and former titleholder.
? Junior featherweight Bernabe Concepcion against an opponent to be determined. Concepcion (26-1-1, 15 KOs), of the Philippines, knocked out Adam Carrera in the third round on last Saturday’s Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto undercard.
? Hot junior lightweight prospect Brandon Rios (18-0, 12 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
Arum also said that popular junior bantamweight contender Jorge Arce of Mexico might also be on the show.
Arum said the card would take place at the same 16,000-seat arena where the U.S. Olympic basketball team has exhibitions scheduled.
Dan Rafael is ESPN.com’s boxing writer.
