ALL IS quiet in the often tumultuous world of Manny Pacquiao.
The silence will only last for a couple of days as a statement that will originate from the US will be made on Friday in relation to Pacquiao?s first fight in 2008.
“An announcement will be posted on the internet on Thursday, US time,” Top Rank big boss Bob Arum said yesterday from Las Vegas. “Nobody?s allowed to say something (regarding that announcement).”
Asked about the outcome of his talks with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer, Arum said it turned out “great.”
Even Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach is clueless although he is positive that it would all be about what the boxing world is waiting for: The rematch between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
“Nobody?s called me yet,” said Roach. “The only thing that I can say is that it will be March 15, 2008 and at the Mandalay Bay (in Las Vegas),” said Arum.
Arum added that he will be flying to the Philippines and join Pacquiao in his 29th birthday bash on Dec. 17 and the two will proceed to Los Angeles two days later for a press conference that will also be graced by Marquez and officials of GBP headed by owner Oscar De La Hoya and Schaefer.
Marquez is the reigning World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion and is aching for a rematch with the Filipino lefty who dropped him thrice in the first-round of their May 2004 encounter en route to a 12-round split draw.
Pacquiao?s adviser Wakee Salud said “the fight contract hasn?t been signed but it?s 99 percent done.”
“I think we have already made the announcement here in the Philippines,” said Salud, laughing.
Top Rank promotes Pacquiao, while Marquez is under GBP and their impending clash would again be a joint promotion between the once-warring companies just like what they did last Oct. 6 when Pacquiao fought Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch.
