8CountNews just spoke to Bob Arum and got his thoughts on the huge upcoming Manny Pacquiao Vs. Timothy Bradley fight. Arum is really pleased with ticket sales, and he is equally pleased with how well Tim Bradley is promoting this fight. Of course Manny Pacquiao is the ticket seller, but Arum spoke highly of Bradley’s efforts to promote this fight as well. Arum also responds to Pacquiao conditioning coach Alex Ariza who recently accused him of trying to ban him from the gated community that Chavez Jr lives in. Arum also confirms that Antonio Margarito has in fact retired and wishes the former champion well.
8CN ? Hey Bob, how are ticket sales going for the big fight?
BA ? Great, There’s a big buzz on this fight. The publicity as you can see is really kicking now. So yes, absolutely, ticket sales are going great.
8CN ? At the Press Conference, Bradley really looks like he means business.
BA ? This is going to be Manny’s toughest fight since I have been with him.
8CN ? Can you confirm that Antonio Margarito has announced his retirement?
BA – That’s correct. Antonio called us last week and told us that he intends to retire. They made the announcement today. We are so pleased that we were able to carry on the fight for Antonio, and secure his financial future. I have great thoughts on Antonio and I really wish him well with his retirement.
8CN ? Did he give any reasons? Was it his eye?
BA ? No it wasn’t at his eye. His body was just not responding anymore. He pulled out of the May 26th fight because his foot was bothering him. He’s at an age that he pushes himself a lot and he just can’t do it anymore.
8CN ? What’s up with Alex Ariza and you banning him from a gated community. Can you share your side of this?
BA ? How can I ban anyone from a gated community?
8CN ? Well I tweeted that question out there myself, so I’m not sure.
BA ? It’s absurd. I don’t own a house there, and I don’t rent a house there and I don’t own any property there. If I tried to ban anybody they would laugh at me.
8CN ? How’s Chavez Jr looking?
BA ? He’s looking tremendous. I was at the gym the other day, and he looks in really, really good shape.
8CN ? When he first came out, he took some heat from some people like he was riding his dad’s last name. I think at this point he’s earned respect.
BA ? Right! Here is a kid that the only exposure to boxing he had was watching his father fight. He never had any amateur career. We had to take him to school as a professional. It’s not like having some kid with 200 amateur fights, where we could move him quick. We couldn’t move this kid quickly. He knew nothing about boxing except for watching his father. You see him now? He gets better and better every fight. He doesn’t mind mixing it up, he takes a good punch. If he looks good and beats Andy Lee, he’s ready to fight a guy like Sergio Martinez.
8CN ? So in closing you’re happy with ticket sales for the Pacman Vs. Bradley fight?
BA ? A lot of thanks to Timmy. He’s been a promoters dream. He was in the press room a few hours ago and did 9 radio interviews. Nobody asked him to do that.
8CN ? He’s really enjoying this because he had some serious financial problems and now he gets the nice payday. Well deserved if you ask me.
BA ? It’s nice when this happens to a really nice young man like Bradley.
8CN ? Thanks for your time.
BA ? You’re very welcome.
