Legend has it that Ponce De Leon, and I don’t mean the little Golden Boy fighter, discovered the Fountain of Youth somewhere in the New World, perhaps around St. Augustine, Florida.
For 75-year-old fight promoter Bob Arum, top dog at Top Rank, the Philippines has become his fountain, the place where he goes to rejuvenate himself and recharge his promotional batteries. So it was with Arum’s recent five-day “campaign swing” in RPI where he went to lend his physical presence and emotional support to his star boxer, Manny Pacquaio.
As the votes continue to come in the First Congressional District in South Cotobato, it looks as though Pacman will wind up a distant second to clan politician and incumbent Dazzling Darlene Antonio-Custodio.
But Arum said Pacquaio remains a winner for his political effort and can now refocus his complete energy on the boxing ring. Arum is hoping to make an October 6 WBO super featherweight title bout, probably in the gambling mecca of Macau, in which Manny would challenge undefeated champion Joan Guzman.
“I am glad I went,” Arum told me Monday night from his Las Vegas office. “I had so much fun that it was incredible. You saw all the politicians singing, dancing and showing so much spirit. I am still hoping that Manny comes out the winner but he is a winner regardless.
“Manny showed that he returns the love and affection and devotion of his people. He wasn’t going into politics for personal gain,” Arum said. “He was trying to give back to his own people. This venture also put his name across the world, away from the sports pages, and that will not hurt his boxing marketability, either. So I say bravo for Manny. He fought a good, clean and hard race and if he lost, he lost. At the end of the day, he comes out a winner.”
Arum, who has made two long flights to the country this year, said he met Tuesday with Sean “Mister X” Gibbons and Scott Woodworth, reps for Sycuan Ringside Promotions, and that he made an offer to them for Guzman-Pacquaio. Sycuan is Guzman’s lead promoter while Top Rank nemesis, Golden Boy, is co-promoter.
“I expect to hear back from Sycuan tomorrow (Tuesday),” Arum said. “They seemed to be keen on the fight because it’s a great fight and they think their guy can win it.”
I spoke to Guzman manager Jose Nunez Monday night and he confirmed his strong interest.
“Guzman wants to match skills with the best and many people say Manny is the best fighter at 130 pounds,” Nunez said. “With the right terms and conditions, Joan wants this great fight. His hand is sore but he can surely be ready for October 6.”
Arum said Macau makes sense because, although he once planned to put Pacman-Jorge Solis there but removed that fight to San Antonio, the area now has a new sports arena.
“Sheldon Adelson, the guy who owns the Venetian Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, has a sports arena seating 17,000 people,” Arum said. “He and Steve Wynn are competing in the hotel-casino market there like they do in Vegas. Last time we wanted to go there, they didn’t have enough hotel rooms on line or ready for guests. Now they have the hotel rooms and the arena. Macau may be the right place.”
While he lines up this possible Pacman megabout, the reenergized Arum also put in a plug for his June 9 “X-plosive” Madison Square Garden show featuring Miguel Cotto defending his WBA world title against Brooklyn’s Zab Judah.
“The tickets are moving fast. It will be a great show and it will put the icing on the cake for the Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend.”
You know Uncle Bob. He likes to keep all his constituents happy.
