Boxingtalk met with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum after Vic Darchinyan finally made weight in his second attempt at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Boxingtalk: Gary Shaw told me to ask you how ticket sales were going and that he wouldn’t comment since you’re the legendary promoter (laughing)?
Bob Arum: Ticket sales are going well. We have sold over 6000 tickets and expect a good walk-up crowd tomorrow.
BT: Can you give us your thoughts on this fight?
BA: Jorge Arce has a hell of a shot. He is a heavy puncher and has a lot of heart. On the other hand, Darchinyan is a heavy puncher as well. I think it will be a great fight.
BT: Darchinyan has been down three times in his career by a single punch. Is that the reason you think Arce has a good shot?
BA: Nonito Donaire caught him and he couldn’t get up, so yeah, Arce does have a good shot.
BT: What are your thoughts on your fighter Kid Diamond [who fights on the Showtime opener tomorrow night]?
BA: He is going to be in a tough fight too but he is in tremendous shape and I expect a great effort.
BT: I know you can’t comment on the controversy on Antonio Margarito’s hand wraps. I have received some coments from Miguel Cotto fans saying that Margarito’s win over him is tainted and that it shouldn’t count. To me it adds to the controversy and makes me want to see Margarito vs Cotto II. We know that Margarito’s hands will be double checked so we will have a true winner after the fight.
BA: I think it adds to the fight as well. We still plan on having the fight in June or July, either in Las Vegas, Los Angeles or New York. It should have a great crowd.
BT: I recently interviewed your young Russian prospect Matvey Korobov. He has a great trainer (Dan Birmingham) and has started his career off well. What can we expect from him?
BA: We expect great things from Matvey. He is young but we have been having him fight all over to get exposure. He fought in Las Vegas and LA and he will be on the Cotto vs Jennings undercard in New York.
BT: He told me he is going to be on the Ricky Hatton vs Manny Pacquiao undercard in May as well.
BA: Yes he will be on that card as well. He will be busy this year.
BT: Speaking of that fight. Do you think a Pacquiao vs Mayweather can happen if Pacquiao beats Hatton?
BA: I can’t speak for Mayweather. He has been gone along time. If he wants to do it he needs to have his people tell us that. I don’t know if he has an injury that he is hoping to heal or if he even wants to fight. I signed Edwin Valero who is fighting Antonio Pitalua in April in Mexico. We want to get him in a couple more fights and we think he will be ready to fight Manny.
