FOR TOP Rank, all roads lead to Macau in March.
Top Rank big boss Bob Arum told a boxing website recently that Manny Pacquiao will strut his stuff in the Chinese territory in March, probably against Venezuelan Edwin Valero.
“Macau in March,” Arum told Marc Abrams of 15rounds.com during an interview in New York City.
Valero, unbeaten in 20 fights with all victories coming by way of knockout, including 18 in the first round, “may be one of the best fighters in boxing who hasn?t been seen in the United States,” Arum said, stressing that the South American puncher is high on the list of probable Pacquiao opponents in 2007.
Pacquiao is fresh from stopping Erik Morales of Mexico in the third round and Arum paid tribute to the gallantry of the two men who waged war for three rounds inside the packed Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“That?s two guys who gave everything in the ring. It only lasted three rounds but it was a great show,” added Arum.
Pacquiao hasn?t made any statements as to who, where and when he is going to fight as he had previously signed a seven-fight contract with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) of Oscar dela Hoya.
But Arum claimed during the postfight interview of Pacquiao-Morales 3 that his promotional firm and Pacquiao?s MP Promotions have forged a four-year pact.
Pacquiao politely declined to comment on the alleged signing with Arum when asked by an American newsman.
GBP has already penciled the date March 11 for Pacquiao to take on Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch in Las Vegas.
If Pacquiao is not available, GBP will instead pit Barrera with Juan Manuel Marquez, according to GBP Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer.
