LEGENDARY boxing impresario Bob Arum said he expects Mexico and the Philippines to engage in another war for bragging rights with the staging the highly-anticipated rematch between Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexican icon Erik Morales in January next year.
Arum, the lead promoter of the super fight, recently told 15rounds.com that he expects no less than a battle for pride between the two nations and their two favorite sons.
Most popular
“Manny Pacquiao is easily the most popular person in the Philippines…not only the most popular athlete or boxer in the Philippines but the most popular person,” Arum told 15rounds.com. “Every Filipino in the world knows who Manny Pacquiao is.”
Arum then followed it up with a description of Morales’ celebrity, saying: “Erik Morales is the most popular fighter in Mexico.” He added that the impending collision of the two national icons will no doubt make a big impact on the two nations.
“We all remember that first fight with the flags of the Philippines and of Mexico waving while the fight went on,” Arum said.
And because he expects the fight – aptly dubbed the “Battle” – to attract a colossal number of fans, Arum said he is aiming to accommodate all of them by staging an even bigger event.
“We want to make this fight available to the fans,” said Arum, who added that ticket prices would start at $50 and plenty of good seats will also be available at $100 and top out at $500 for ringside seats.
In speaking about the pay-per-view audience, Arum said, “Fans that pay $44.95 deserve to see a terrific card, from top to bottom.”
