TOP Rank promoter Bob Arum said he is waiting for Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao’s decision regarding the planned fight with World Boxing Council featherweight champion In Jin Chi in Macau on April 28.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today, Arum said he had talked to the In Jin Chi people through Japanese matchmaker, boxing manager and journalist Joe Koizumi, who had been tasked by the champion’s manager Kusung Lee to handle the negotiations since Kusung doesn’t speak English.
“We had pretty much agreed on terms and now I’ve got to discuss things with Manny [Pacquiao] and his people this week,” said Arum.
He said he hopes the fight will push through, but said he hasn’t discussed it yet with Pacquiao but will do soon.
Arum said he was sure if it would be an exciting fight, but would want to listen to what Pacquiao had to say. He said he didn’t have a chance to talk to Pacquiao since he was busy shooting a commercial with Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
The Top Rank promoter appeared pleased that Pacquiao and Morales, who had fought a memorable trilogy in the ring, were friends working together on a TV commercial.
“That’s the way it should be among sportsmen,” said Arum.
The fight offer was initiated by In Jin Chi’s manager, through his good friend WBC founding secretary-general Rudy Salud, who asked this reporter to relay the offer to Arum.
The Top Rank promoter was very receptive to the idea and said “this will be an interesting fight. Chi is a good fighter.”
