BOXING MAN Rod Nazario began exploratory talks with the Araneta group concerning a possible mid-November appearance at the big dome by featherweight star Manny Pacquiao.
“Pag-aaralan pa,?? a team Pacquiao said yesterday as the prospects of a Pacquiao fight in the country loomed promoter Bob Arum to pit Mexicans Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera on November 27 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao and Morales had earlier been eyed to fight as announced by Arum, but the influential promoter had a change of heart after meeting with Barrera?s promotional group, golden boy promotions last week in big bear, California.
Pacquiao slated to fly to Los Angeles on Sept. 8 with Nazario to start working out under the watch of trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club.
The Araneta talks is important for team Pacquiao because in case a deal in the states is not reached while Nazario is there, Pacquiao will proceed with the Manila bout, his first in the country since getting up from the deck to stop Kazakh Serikzhan Yeshmangbetov in a nontitle tenner at the Luneta in March 2003.
In the event Pacquiao fights at the Araneta Coliseum, this would be his second on that fabled venue following his debut there in April 1999 when he defended world boxing council flyweight crown against Mexican Gabriel Mira.
Pacquiao hasn?t fought since being held to a controversial 12-round split draw by Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM grand on May 8.
And this is the reason why Nazario wants to send Pacquiao back to combat duty so he gets to dust off inactivity.
Pacquiao will plane in from General Santos City this weekend to prepare for his trip to the states joined by Nazario, his brother Bobby Pacquiao, super-fly Z Gorres and trainer Buboy Fernandez.
