LOS ANGELES-Manny Pacquiao might face another Mexican for the fourth straight time if talks push through between his promoter Murad Muhammad and Golden Boy Promotions which handles Oscar “Chololo” Larios.
Muhammad confirmed Thursday that he got a call from Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, asking to open the tables for a possible November fight date for Pacquiao and Larios.
“Richard Schaefer asked me to make an offer,” said Muhammad, who is feeling the heat for still failing to land Pacquiao a big money fight since May.
Larios is king in the WBC super-bantamweight division but has decided to move up in weight and has won as a featherweight in his last two fights.
The 27-year-old Larios sports a formidable 53-3-1 including 14 straight wins. He has been busy all year and has fought thrice already, paling in comparison with Pacquiao, who has only fought once, settling for a controversial draw with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez who fights Saturday.
“There is one more option but we will announce the outcome of negotiations on Monday or Tuesday,” added Muhammad, asking for the identity of Pacquiao’s other possible opponent off wraps.
Pacquiao, who has been quoted as to have said that he will burn his way through Mexico, has knocked out Emmanuel Lucero and Marco Antonio Barrera in the year 2003.
Such statements have gotten the ire of Mexicans, Larios included. Larios, himself, has expressed willingness to face off with Pacquiao.
Moreover, talks between Muhammad and handlers of Joel Casamayor have been stalled for the moment. Also, a fight between Pacquiao and WBO champion Scott Harrison, is not feasible at this time, added Muhammad.
Meanwhile, Muhammad said that it has been hard for some of the best fighters in the world to get fights themselves, looking to compare his situation with other promoters’ woes.
“(Floyd) Pretty Boy” Mayweather, Vernon Forrest and Antonio Tarver are just some examples. They too, have no fight schedules later this year,” said Muhammad.
“You can’t fault the act of God,” added Muhammad, who failed also failed to sign Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
He, however, revealed that the rematch between Pacquiao and Marquez has been renegotiated for February next year.
“I got a call from Bob Arum and there might even be an announcement soon about a possible rematch,” said Muhammad, who might join Pacquiao at ringside when Marquez defends his WBA/IBF belts against young Orlando Salido and Oscar De La Hoya attempts to snatch the undisputed middleweight crown of the Executioner, Bernard Hopkins at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday.
