It will be Manny Pacquiao fighting Mexican slugger Marco Antonio Barrera in April before going up against another fighter in September in Macau.
After the Filipino icon yesterday introduced Bob Arum as his new promoter, the legendary boxing figure behind Top Rank Promotions announced his immediate plans for the Filipino megastar.
Pacquiao and Arum held a press conference at the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel where they bared a new contract that gives Top Rank the promotional rights to Pacquiao?s fights for the next four years.
Pacquiao reportedly received $1 million for hooking up with Top Rank.
It was actually the second time in 41 days that such an announcement was made. Only this time, both parties are hoping that this would be the real thing, the one that would last the distance.
The Pacquiao-Arum tie-up is expected to face a stiff challenge from Oscar dela Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions with whom the Filipino southpaw also signed a seven-fight contract last September.
“This new development is that Top Rank is now my new promoter. I spent some time thinking this over and I think I made the right decision,” said Pacquiao in Filipino.
“Top Rank is tested. It has helped promote a lot of good boxers before,” he added, also expressing confidence that Top Rank will come out the winner in any legal situation with Golden Boy.
Arum, who first came to the Philippines when he helped Don King promote the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975, said setting up a Pacquiao-Barrera rematch in April is on top of his list of priorities.
Many, however, believe that this fight might not materialize soon since Barrera, the reigning World Boxing Council champion in the super-featherweight division, is under Golden Boy.
Arum said he and Pacquiao will make an offer that will be hard for Barrera and dela Hoya to refuse.
“We will offer Barrera a very good, lucrative contract for him to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas in April. We?re offering him $2.5 million and a percentage of the pay-per-view after a certain point,” said Arum.
Pacquiao should receive around $5 million if he fights Barrera, whom he stopped in 11 rounds in 2003. Pacquiao got $3 million in his third and final showdown with Erik Morales last month.
“It?s a very good contract. And if it?s Barrera, then it?s in Las Vegas in April. Then Pacquiao will fight again in Macau in September against someone else,” said Arum.
“But there is a possibility that Barrera and Golden Boy will not accept the offer. If this happens then Pacquiao will fight in Macau in April against a different opponent. We already have a list of very good opponents.”
Pacquiao said he?s not afraid to lose the chance to fight Barrera in April.
“I?m not afraid. It?s okay with me if they don?t want to fight me. It?s their (Barrera) camp which needs something from me, and not the other way around,” said Pacquiao, now a certified pay-per-view fighter unlike Barrera.
Arum, who promoted fights as big as Hagler-Hearns in the mid-80s, said even without Barrera, Pacquiao can earn as much fighting someone else in Macau as in fighting Barrera in Las Vegas.
Last Nov. 18 in Las Vegas, shortly after Pacquiao finished off Erik Morales in three rounds, Arum said he has signed a four-year deal with Pacquiao. Soon after, Golden Boy went to court.
“It?s a case for money damages. And we were told by our lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli (of the historic OJ Simpson case) that the case we have here is an absolute winner.
“If we lose, we?re liable but Manny Pacquiao will be indemnified. He has no risk here financially. It will be Top Rank (shouldering everything)” said Arum.
This may have sealed the deal for Top Rank.
