Top Rank chairman Bob Arum yesterday called Golden Boy’s decision to pull out Marco Antonio Barrera from a rematch against Manny Pacquiao a bluff and said there’s still a chance the fight will push through because it’s good for business.
But whatever happens, Arum said Pacquiao will end up the big winner in the money stakes and Barrera, the big loser if he rejects the offer to fight the Filipino and face Juan Manuel Marquez instead.
Arum said he gave Golden Boy up to Jan. 12 to decide whether or not to allow Barrera the chance to earn a huge payday against Pacquiao.
“From what I know, the Barrera-Marquez fight isn’t a deal yet,” Arum told The STAR in an exclusive overseas telephone interview from his Las Vegas office. “Barrera hasn’t agreed. I think Golden Boy is playing this out a little bit. I know they’re bluffing.”
But in a statement issued a few days ago, Golden Boy president Richard Schaefer announced that Barrera will take on Marquez in an HBO pay-per-view fight on March 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Arum said he’s not waiting around for Golden Boy to deliver Barrera and the plans for Pacquiao to fight in Macau on April 28 will go ahead.
As to whom Pacquiao will meet in Macau if the Barrera rematch fails to materialize, Arum said it doesn’t matter much to him.
“It’s Manny’s choice,” said Arum. “I’ve given Manny a list of 10 possible opponents and a couple more are being added. If Barrera doesn’t come through, we’ll know in a week or two whom Manny will fight next. Manny is the fighter everyone wants because he’s the big draw. He’ll give any fighter who fights him a nice payday.”
At the top of the list is International Boxing Federation (IBF) superfeatherweight champion Malcolm Klassen of South Africa. Another contender confirmed by Arum as being on the list is Mexican slugger Humberto Soto who hasn’t lost in his last 18 fights since 2002. Arum described Barrera and Marquez as B-side fighters who aren’t in the same pay-per-view category as Pacquiao.
“Neither Barrera nor Marquez is a draw,” said Arum. “Manny is the draw. A Barrera-Marquez fight won’t do any business on pay-per-view because they’re not A-side fighters. Barrera’s last fight against (Rocky) Juarez did less than 150,000 pay-per-view buys. You take out expenses and there’s little, if nothing left for the fighters to share. As for Marquez, his last fight took in less than 60,000 homes and that’s nothing.”
Arum said ironically, Pacquiao will earn more from fighting an opponent other than Barrera.
“Manny will make more from a non-Barrera fight,” continued Arum. “That’s because even if a Barrera fight will generate a bigger money pot, there will be less to earn for Manny after Barrera and Golden Boy get their share. What will be left won’t be as big compared to if Manny fights another opponent.”
Arum explained that Pacquiao will get the lion’s share of the money pie against an opponent other than Barrera.
“Another opponent will get a smaller amount than Barrera,” said Arum. “Economically, Manny is the winner either way. Even if Manny doesn’t fight Barrera next and he fights somebody else, he’s assured of a big payday. That’s not the case with Barrera who will be the big loser if he doesn’t fight Manny.”
Arum said Golden Boy owner Oscar de la Hoya, whom he has promoted in several big-money fights, is not involved in the “machinations” involving Pacquiao.
“In all good faith, I think Oscar is not involved in this,” said Arum. “It’s Schaefer and he’s not a boxing guy but a Swiss banker. He plays this out like a banking situation. I can’t predict how this will be resolved in the end but all I know is Manny will come out fine, no matter what happens.”
Arum has offered Barrera a $2.5-million purse to fight Pacquiao. Golden Boy said it will not negotiate with Arum to be consistent with its legal position that Top Rank does not own Pacquiao’s promotional rights. However, Golden Boy said it would agree to a 50-50 split with Pacquiao for a Barrera rematch.
