If boxing was poker, is there any question that promoter Bob Arum would be the guy hauling in the big pot at the end of the game?
Although he is in his dotage, Uncle Bob has a terrific threesome?Manny Pacquiao, Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Cotto. No promoter on this planet has a troika as strong as Top Rank does.
My probing question of the day is, why does the Bobala handle them differently? Why does Pacman get the kid gloves treatment when there is no opponent that Arum would be afraid of putting in the ring against ?Ghost? Pavlik or the Boricua Bomber.
Let?s get specific. Cotto is about to face a beast in Antonio Margarito (a Top Rank chattel which must be noted.)
Arum is talking about penciling in another beast of burden, Tall Pall Williams, as Pavlik?s Sept. 27 opponent. While Pavlik is a natural middleweight, Al Haymon?s guy will be coming up in weight. Still, no matter how you slice it, it?s no day at the beach for Pavlik.
But, when comes to the Pinoy idol, it?s a different story. It?s ?contents under glass, handle with care.?
Cotto and Pavlik are looking at meaningful fights which can help them build their ring legends. With Floyd Mayweather Jr. off playing water polo or whatever, Margarito will bring it to Cotto in typical Margarito style. I?ve no doubt Cotto would?ve been glad now or later to mix it with Williams also.
The way I see it, Megamanny has two great options for his next fight. He can wait to see who?s standing when the smoke clears on Sept. 13, Joan Guzman or triple belt champion Nate Campbell. If it?s Campbell, one would think Arum be be in a rush to make a bout in which all four title belts would be up for grabs. Pacman is making history and, by becoming a truly undisputed champ, he?ll just be polishing his Hall Of Fame plaque.
If Guzman wins, look for Pacman, Freddie Roach and Arum to head in a different direction. Which brings us to the easily-beatable Ricky Hatton.
In a matchup of two love tap hitters, Hatton will outpoint Paulie Malignaggi. That will happen in November and there?s no reason that Pac and Hat cannot fight in February. There is also no doubt that this will be Manny?s career high purse
So I ask you what is Arum doing to trying to milk the Pacman with, first, Edwin Valero (a puncher with a good record and punches you can time with a sun dial) and second, Humberto Soto (spirited competitor but a wide decision loser to Guzman)? Btw, Soto is another in-house Top Rank opponent.
There was a time for Pacman to fight the Jorge Solis types but that time is long gone.
It?s time for Arum to stop babying Pacquiao, time to treat him the same way he treats Pavlik and Cotto.
Arum?s strongest hand has three studs in it, not two studs and a baby.
You?ve done with Cotto and Pavlik, Bob. Now you?ve got to show no fear with Pacman.
You’re playing it perfect with the wondrous welterweight and the marvelous lightweight. So take the diapers off when it comes to matching this just short of legendary lightweight. Give Manny a chance to climb his highest mountains, not to be content with the small peaks.
Uncle Bob, don’t keep misplaying your Pinoy idol card.
Shut up and deal.
