Manny Pacquiao ditched plans to fly to the US this week to confer with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum on his next fight and instead will meet his promoter in Macau for a press conference on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin (Jing) Gacal left for Los Angeles last night to look into legal issues concerning the fighter but will not meet Arum.
Pacquiao postponed his US trip twice before canceling for good yesterday. He is expected to report for training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on Feb. 17 after a two-week head start in gym work in General Santos City.
Arum is scheduled to discuss plans for Pacquiao’s next fight with hotel owner Steve Wynn in Las Vegas today.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said Pacquiao will definitely face World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion In Jin Chi of Korea in Macau despite speculation the former Portuguese colony is not ready to stage a big boxing event. Wynn’s hotel and casino, which opened last September, will host the fight.
What isn’t certain is when the bout will take place. April 29 was the working date at first to be held in the morning, Macau time, to catch the Saturday evening prime time TV market. There is talk it will now be held a week earlier.
Another issue up in the air is whether the fight will be shown on pay-per-view TV in the US . Arum is studying the options before deciding on the most profitable alternative.
“Bob’s not an idiot,” said Koncz. “Why would he even suggest Macau as a venue if it’s not equipped to host a big boxing show? I’m sure things will clear up after he meets with Wynn in Las Vegas . Then, he’ll make an announcement at the press conference in Macau .”
Koncz said an army of Filipino fighters will see action in the Macau undercard. Heading the supporting cast is Bernabe Concepcion who is one of five fighters under MP Promotions.
Arum will fly to Macau after watching the Super Bowl this weekend.
Former WBC secretary-general Rudy Salud, meanwhile, cautioned Pacquiao not to take In Jin Chi lightly. Salud issued the warning after Pacquiao’s former business manager Rod Nazario predicted a knockout win in seven rounds and Moy Lainez in five.
“In Jin is a proud boy and I’m sure he’ll train doubly hard for Manny because this is his big chance to be recognized,” said Salud. “In the past, In Jin would train just enough to train. But this time, I expect him to train really hard. Manny must be prepared for a tough fight.”
In Jin’s manager Ku Sung Lee is Salud’s good friend and lives in Manila .
Salud said Pacquiao deserves all the support from the Filipino people.
“Manny will remain at his peak for at least another two years, maybe more depending on how he takes care of himself,” said Salud. I want for Manny to be for our country what Pele is to Brazil, Yao Ming to China, Roger Federer to Switzerland and Tiger Woods to the US and Thailand. Boxing is the most universal of all sports and Manny excelling in boxing puts the Philippines in the world map.”
