MANILA, Philippines – The only thing certain about Manny Pacquiao?s plans as a boxer is that he?s returning to the ring in September.
Other than that, everything remains in question.
?He is fighting in September,? Pacquiao?s chief promoter, Bob Arum, told ESPN.com just before Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios waged war in Las Vegas yesterday.
Arum must have faced the question on Pacquiao?s next fight a thousand times since the Filipino icon took a shocking loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.
But Arum doesn?t hold all the answers because Pacquiao is so busy with the coming May elections he doesn?t even want to talk about boxing.
Pacquiao can?t even say whom he wants to fight next and where he wants the fight. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
At least for now, Arum has got something for Pacquiao fans to look forward to. But that?s as far as he can go.
?I don?t know against who and I?m not exactly sure where, but it looks like Macau or Singapore,? said Arum, who didn?t mention Mexico City as a possible venue.
Pacquiao is shying away from Las Vegas or anywhere else in the United States where taxes for the big fights have gone up to 39.6 percent.
If he gets $20 million for his next fight, it?s like giving up close to $8 million (P320 million) in taxes.
?Malaki din ang mawawala (There?s a lot to lose),? Pacquiao was quoted as saying recently.
Arum said he likes Macau because it?s like ?Vegas on steroids? and said Singapore ?is not far behind? when it comes to luring the high-rollers.
Arum is soon headed for Macau for the April 6 Top Rank presentation featuring the pro debut of Chinese superstar Zou Shiming and Filipino Brian Viloria?s title defense against Juan Francisco Estrada.
The fight will take place at The Venetian, which also has casino-resort-hotels in Singapore and Las Vegas. It?s up to casino officials to choose between Macau and Singapore.
?They own both properties there, so it doesn?t matter,? Arum told ESPN.com.
Regarding Pacquiao?s opponent, Arum named the usual suspects led by Marquez, Timothy Bradley and Rios. As expected, there was no mention of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
?It will be one of those three guys, at 147 [pounds]. My idea would be if [Pacquiao] fought Marquez, we do Bradley against Rios if Rios wins (against Alvarado),? said Arum.
But Rios failed to do his part, and lost to Alvarado yesterday, and if the script is to be followed, then the choice is down to Marquez and Bradley.
