Bob Arum had his sitdown session Friday in Anaheim with Team Miguel Cotto and, while no next fight has been decided upon, the promoter said a frank exchange of views and opinions about the Boricua Bomber’s future took place.
“It was me, with Miguel, his attorney Gabe Penagaricano Jr. and two guys from his camp,” Arum said on the eve of Saturday’s PPV TV show at the Honda Center which features popular Pinoy star Nonito Donaire Jr. in the main event, replacing flu-stricken Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The Cotto camp had indicated possible interest in testing middleweight champ Sergio Martinez, the Argentinean star coming off his spectacular, one punch blasting of Tall Paul Williams.
Inflamed sources think Uncle Bob is more keen on pitting against Antonio Margarito in a revenge bout come June, maybe at the Meadowlands in North Jersey (Madison Square Garden is shut down the next three summers for sorely needed renovation).
“We had a nice conversation,” Arum said. “Everything was put on the table but nothing was decided.
“We presented options and they reacted to the options. I got a real understanding of what Miguel and his guys have in mind. It was a very good meeting.”
Ever the heplful, volunteer matchmaker, I suggested a revenge bout between Margarito, who owns victories over Cotto and Martinez, against the new Bull of the Pampas.
Way back on Feb. 19, 2000, in Las Vegas, Margarito upset the odds by stopping Martinez in seven rounds.
Lefthander Martinez came into that bout with a 16-0-1 mark and it was on the undercard of the Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera card at the Mandalay Bay.
The Mexican floored Martinez with a right hand in the opening round and dominated, leading 59-54, 59-55 and 59-56 after six rounds.
Naturally, the Martinez camp will say that was not the seasoned, 35 year old Martinez of current vintage.
My quick thought would be Margarito-Martinez in March could just lead to fatter purses for the winner against Cotto in the summer but the Cotto camp has already said Miguel wants to fight earlier than that.
“We’ll see,” Arum said, “now all the balls are in the air.”
(If I wanted to be a wiseguy, I could’ve said I hope that’s not painful for anyone but I refrained.)
Arum said Margarito is already back in the gym despite his Nov. 13 shellacking by Pacman.
“You can’t keep Tony out of the gym these days,” Arum said.
Arum said there was no real Pacquiao April 16 update.
(See Marquez agreeing to 147 pound limit and still gamely pitching to land Chapter 3 against Manny.)
“Manny is just waiting for the visit by the Godfather to the Philippines,” Arum said, in a self reference.
Arum plans to go Pacman’s homeland for the Pinoy Idol’s 32nd birthday bash Dec. 17 and review purse requests from Sugar Shane Mosley and Andre Berto.
Arum has told me Thursday night that Golden Boy’s purse demand for a trilogy bout between Pacquiao and Mexican slickster Juan Manuel Marquez was excessive and would not be considered further.
Arum was pleased to report that the Honda Center box office had “only 90 refund requests” because of Chavez not be able to fight Pawel Wolak.
Arum repeated his belief that the show will draw about 5,000 fans to the arena near the Magical Kindom of Disneyland.
Somehow, I don’t think Uncle Bob will making any references to Mickey Mouse in relation to the sans Chavez card.
