Top Rank?s Bob Arum says he is lining up several interesting undercard fights for the May 7 Pacquiao-Mosley WBO welterweight title fight.
Among them are the rematch of the Humberto Soto-Urbano Antillon classic last year and the possible return of Kelly Pavlik against Alfonso Lopez. The PPV card will also reportedly begin with the Wilfredo Vasquez Jr versus Jorge Arce super bantamweight title fight.
The undercards alone are strong enough to each headline a fight card, especially the Soto-Antillon. It will be rematch of their 2010 exciting bell to bell slugfest that could have ended in a majority draw if not for the point deduction on Antillon in the fifth round for a borderline low blow.
A Pavlik return is an interesting fight to watch. Pavlik fell on the wayside after he lost his title to Sergio Martinez and has been into rehabilitation for alcoholism. He was one of the top middleweights just a couple of years back and may yet get his chance to bounce back. He will have his hands full against Lopez who is listed as an undefeated super middleweight, however.
And with the colorful veteran Mexican brawler Jorge Arce in the mix, any boxing card with him on the slate guarantees at least a moment of entertainment.
There is also no question Manny Pacquiao will again insert a Filipino or two in the undercard.
So, the main event aside, May 7 will be an interesting red-lettered day in very boxing fan?s calendar, especially among Filipinos.
Looks like Arum and Showtime are bent on regaining the lost glory of professional boxing. If only all pay-per-view fights have cards that would make live attendees troop to their seats four or five bouts before the main event, better yet the non-televised fights, then professional boxing is heading for renaissance. Throw in the decision to go with Showtime instead of the more established HBO for the PPV fight and we have a box office hit in the making.
Professional boxing has fallen prey to crass commercialism over the last two decades denying its fan base opportunity to see marquee fighters live on free television. It also fell into the hands of scheming cable networks and promoters who dictate what boxing bouts fans are to watch on PPV, regardless.
With the mainstream CBS television network providing teasers and run-up features heading to the May 7 fight, there is a strong possibility that the Pacquiao-Mosley PPV sales will exceed expectations. After all, Manny?s broadening fans will come to see him live or buy PPV slots regardless of who he will fight. Arum and Manny will surely be disappointed if the May 7 PPV sales fail to top the Pacquiao-Margarito fight.
For Arum and Pacquiao, this is one big opportunity to seize.
