Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is just putting the finishing touches on what?s down the road for Manny Pacquiao and is actually on the cusp of making an official announcement regarding the Filipino?s much-awaited next move.
Pacquiao is booked to fight on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico or Tim Bradley of the US and Arum said a press conference has been set for Sept. 18 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles to formally publicize the event.
If Pacquiao picks a perilous showdown with Marquez, the tour will make a stop in Mexico City on Sept. 21 after visiting New York the day before.
Arum is pushing for a fourth fight with Marquez owing to financial gains since the Mexican?s pairing with Pacquiao is a tried and tested formula to cash in on pay-per-view sales.
Bradley is still in the running despite his being a tough sell in pay-per-view because ringsiders believe Pacquiao will have an easier time dealing with him than Marquez.
Besides, Marquez poses a huge risk to Pacquiao?s desire to secure a megabuck matchup with Floyd Mayweather next year as evidenced by the outcome of their first three encounters that were all controversial.
Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz told the Bulletin from the US: ?I will meet with Arum tomorrow in Vegas to work things out and finalize.?
Pacquiao is actually heading to the US this weekend for a couple of shows and his arrival there will harmonize with Arum?s timetable to start drumbeating the fight next week.
The Filipino boxing icon and Marquez met first in 2004 before they clashed again in 2008 and 2011.
In 2004, they fought to a memorable draw at the MGM Grand despite the fact that Pacquiao knocked Marquez down three times in the first round.
In 2008, Pacquiao engaged Marquez in another bloody fight to hack out a close win but last year, he scored a majority decision at the MGM in a bout that some said it was a controversial one.
