Arum told The Times Wednesday he wants to have a sit-down with Pacquiao and his Hollywood-based trainer Freddie Roach by next week to discuss why Pacquiao declined to sign a contract to fight Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas, and to determine who Pacquiao is willing to fight. Boxing officials connected to Hatton-Pacquiao talks said the Pacquiao would’ve earned the most money he’s ever been paid for a fight if he had accepted the Hatton deal. He was paid at least $11 million for defeating Oscar De La Hoya in December.
“I’m baffled,” Arum said Wednesday after arriving in Los Angeles for Saturday’s Antonio Margarito-Shane Mosley world welterweight title fight at Staples Center.
Although one longtime boxing official has suggested the Hatton-Pacquiao animosity could still be patched up by an agreement on terms — “It’s showbiz, baby,” he said — veteran fight promoter Arum said, “I don’t think so. It’s up to Hatton, and he’s walked away. We need to figure out who to fight next.”
Roach has said he doesn’t want Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. until at least late this year, leaving World Boxing Council super-featherweight champ Humberto Soto as another option for Pacquiao.
