Philippines, 19 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ABU DHABI ASKS FOR TWO DAYS EXTENSION


PhilBoxing.com


Abu Dhabi, one of the cities interested in hosting pound-for-pound king and ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao?s showdown with Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC light middleweight title on November 13 has asked for an extension of two days before deciding on a proposal submitted by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz.

Koncz who together with Arum met with representatives of the United Arab Emirates Royal Family in the US some weeks ago said the representative called and requested for a two-day extension although Arum has indicated he doubts whether the Abu Dhabi deal would push through despite the seeming optimism of Koncz.

Arum told us that aside from Monterrey, Mexico other sites that have expressed interest in staging the fight were Dallas, Texas where Pacquiao drew almost 51,000 fans to the Cowboy?s Stadium for his fight against Joshua Clottey last November and the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Arum said several interested parties are ?coming out of the woodwork? wanting to host the Pacquiao-Margarito showdown although Aum himself appeared to be leaning towards Las Vegas and is hoping Margarito can get a license to fight in Nevada.

Having been told by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to first get cleared by the California State Athletic Commission which suspended him for one year for using illegal hand-wraps, Margarito has followed the NSAC advice and applied to the California Commission for a license even though Arum has said he has no intention of fighting in California.

Arum told the Los Angeles Times that they had ?asked this (application for reinstatement) to be heard on an expedited basis? before the Commission?s next meeting which is scheduled for September 20.

Arum, in mentioning other interested sites said the Commissions in these jurisdictions indicated they would sanction a Pacquiao-Margarito fight even if California acted on Margarito?s request and licensed him.

Pacquiao has said he thinks a Margarito fight would be a good fight and that he would like to fight in Mexico where he has many fans. In fact, Pacquiao was treated like a king during a brief vacation with his family in the picturesque province of Nayarit some weeks ago when governor Ney Gonzalez and well known promoter Fernando Beltran were his hosts.

Koncz told us he would wait for word from Abu Dhabi before leaving Los Angeles for Manila on Friday by which time he would have concrete proposals for Pacquiao?s approval.

Meantime, Pacquiao?s first trainer Rich Stehely says tax issues and the legal problems facing his uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather may have caused Floyd Mayweather Jr not to fight pound-for-pound king and ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao on the planned November 13 date at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

American trainer Stehely who helped Pacquao win his first world title with a spectacular 8th round knockout of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul on the outskirts of Bangkok in December 1998 told us that he had heard a few things that ?the pending court case of Roger which may not be bailable and if they were going to fight in November he couldn?t train Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Stehely also mentioned tax issues is Mayweather fights again in calendar year 2010 is going to cost him a lot more money.?

It was what Floyd Mayweather Sr mentioned in an interview with Percy Crawford of FightHype even as he insisted that Mayweather was not at all scared of Pacquiao and that the Pacquiao fight will still happen.

Mayweather Sr appeared far more subdued when he was quoted as saying ?The fight?s gonna still happen. I?m pretty sure about that. It may not happen right away this year, but it?s going to happen?

Mayweather Sr claimed that the recent tax problems that Floyd had earlier this year were the motivating factor in his decision to forego fighting later this year. He said ?One thing for sure is Floyd is not scared of Pacquiao. That?s one thing for sure. Everybody needs to get that straight; that?s straight and to the point. Floyd is not scared of Pacquiao. That?s the last guy he?s scared of in boxing, but the whole thing is, man, the money Lil Floyd done made and the money he would get fighting Pacquiao, think about it.?

Elaborating on the fear of the taxes that would be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service Mayweather Sr indicated this is what prevented the biggest fight in boxing taking place in November. He told FightHype ?Make a million dollars in one year and see what Uncle Sam gonna do to you. So that?s what I?m talking about. Make $100 million in one year and see what Uncle Sam gonna do.?

Referring to Mayweather?s last fight against Shane Mosley, Mayweather Sr that the tax take was like ?he ain?t never fought Shane. I?m telling you the real deal of how it is. That is the only reason they didn?t make the fight.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Three boxers aim for finals
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.