While he doesn’t want to reveal too much at this point, you can tell that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is relieved that the process of selecting Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent is almost over.
Speaking to myself and BoxingScene.com feature writer Ryan Burton inside of the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon, where hewas attending Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s open media workout ahead of his Sept. 15 duel with Sergio Martinez, Arum opened up on where everything stands regarding the eight-division champion’s ring return. View slideshow: PHOTOS – Behind the scenes at JC Chavez Jr.’s media day with Freddie Roach, Bob Arum, Julio Sr., and others
Read on for highlights of our conversation, including why Miguel Cotto is likely looking for a safer fight than Pacquiao following his loss to Floyd Mayweather, how a Pacquiao-Marquez IV encounter is unlikely to land in Mexico, and much more…
Bob Arum Photo credit: Chris Robinson
The process of finalizing Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent… “Well, it’s been harder than usual, because there were so many things go consider. But I think we’re pretty well on our way to determining who it will be, where it will be, and the date. I can’t say anything, obviously until we confirm everything with Manny, but we’re pretty well there.”
Why Pacquiao-Marquez IV in Mexico isn’t a big possibility… “There have been talks about that. That’s still a possibility, but fairly remote. I would think that Manny Pacquiao fights belong in Las Vegas. I would say that it is true that in connection with Marquez, Mexico was considered. They have a beautiful, beautiful arena. But you can’t pull out the same revenue from that arena as we’ve demonstrated you can do from either the MGM Grand or Thomas & Mack.”
Bonus Exclusive: Freddie Roach wants Floyd Mayweather Jr. to step up and face Pacquiao
Coordinating with Miguel Cotto and his team… “We have pretty well ironed everything out with his team, at least I believe that. And the question is, does Miguel want to fight Manny again at this time? That we don’t know and Gabby [Penagaricano] is talking to Miguel. But it’s no longer a money issue. Remember, Manny beat the hell out of him and a fighter who gets the hell beat out of them by an opponent, if there are other options, may not want to fight the same guy.”
Tim Bradley’s willingness to face all comers… “Pacquiao is not fighting in November, that’s a given. If Pacquiao ends up fighting Cotto, then Bradley and Marquez have agreed to fight each other. We presented all the options to everybody. Bradley is [also] totally on-board to fight Cotto.”
Cotto’s possible mindset… “Cotto may be looking for a very easy fight in December. Because, look at Cotto’s career. After he lost to Margarito, he did a transition fight with Jennings, which wasn’t very competitive. After he lost to Manny, he did a fight with Yuri Foreman.”
