“I’ve got to go, now that’s Qatar on the phone….”
Employees and friends of Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum know that he is referrred to as “The Sheik” inside the office walls of Top Rank.
So, it’s a bit ironic that Arum closed an interview with me Thursday by saying that he had to converse with someone from the Middle Eastern country of Qatar who wants to bring a Pacman bout there in November.
Arum has been crowing about having a previous big offer from Abu Dhabi and, he told me, that if Pacquiao goes there for a Nov. 14 bout, against either Antonio Margarito or recycled Miguel Cotto, his company will get logistical and other assistance from its also Vegas-based neighbors, the UFC which has done a show there.
Meanwhile, Arum is touting the Floyd Mayweather Offer Countdown Clock which is running on TR’s website.
The fitting tag for the countdown clock is “Money Time” and indeed it is.
“It expires at midnight Friday, Las Vegas or Pacific time. That’s when the clock runs out on our offer to him. I don’t expect anything to happen. Would I be shocked to hear from the Mayweather camp Friday, yes I would. I just feel, although no one has told me this, that Floyd is concerned, and rightly so, that he would have to fight Pacquiao without his uncle-trainer, Roger (Roger has a pending felony assault trial set to begin Aug. 2 in Las Vegas).
“I don’t blame Floyd because I know that Manny would not want to fight without having Freddie Roach in his corner,” Arum said.
Art by JOHN PAUL RALOTO – LeBron opted for the Heat in Miami but Mayweather may opt out of the fistic heat he would face by fighting Manny Pacquiao
In related news, Arum disclosed that he is asking the Nevada commission, which just tabled Margarito’s license application by a 4-1 vote and referred him back to California where he had a one year suspension for illegally loaded handwraps, for a second appearance for the Mexican fighter.
Arum said he had a lawyer try to get Margarito placed on a July 26 California State Athletic Commission meeting agenda but got nowhere.
“They wouldn’t allow it, they said they did not have room for it. So we’ve gone back to Nevada with this information and they can call a meeting on three days notice so that’s what we’re now asking for,” Arum said.
“California said they couldn’t fit us in so we return to Nevada.”
Arum conceded that his preference is Margarito rather than Cotto.
“I have to look at what sells and, yes Cotto has Emmanuel Steward now and a second bout with Manny would be at 154 pounds but the Margarito fight is the more saleable bout in my view,” Arum said.
Tick, tick, tick…the clock on the wall may so sorrow, tomorrow.
Does Mayweather know what time it is?
