DALLAS ? Not even Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum knows when Manny Pacquiao is going to fight next assuming he hurdles past Antonio Margarito this weekend.
?It?s his call,? Arum said on Tuesday as he was watching Pacquiao work out for the media and public at the Gaylord Texan Hotel.
Arum said the earliest date for Pacquiao?s debut in 2011 would be March ?but it would all depend on him.?
?It could be March, April or May? it?s all up to him. Everybody?s going to follow him including me,? said the 79-year-old head of Top Rank Inc., arguably boxing?s top promotional company today.
The foremost hindrance in determining Pacquiao?s timetable for next year is his congressional duties and should Pacquiao decide he would be ready to fight in March, Arum said a deal should be up by December ?and if it?s going to be May, we have to come up with an announcement by January.?
Floyd Mayweather is the logical choice to face Pacquiao but owing to legal problems, he might not be available.
But there are still a few other marquee names out there and Arum remains optimistic that even if a mouth-watering fight with Mayweather doesn?t take place, he could still sign up somebody who can dance the tango with Pacquiao.
