LAS VEGAS – Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said yesterday he’s building a strong Filipino army of fighters that will shake up the boxing world and even when Manny Pacquiao finally decides to retire – and that isn’t in the near futur2e – there will be more than enough warriors to carry the flag.
“They used to say I had a Mexican army because a lot of the best Mexican fighters were with Top Rank,” said Arum. “Now, I’m building a strong Philippine army. We’ve got Manny, of course. Then there’s Bernabe (Concepcion) and Mark (Melligen). We’re just about to sign up another talented fighter Z Gorres. Rodel (Mayol) is fighting (Ivan) Calderon in a rematch for the world title next month. Philippine boxing is doing great and when Manny finally retires, it’s my job to make sure we’ve got enough Filipinos out there ready to pick up where he’ll leave off.”
Arum said arranging Pacquiao’s fight against Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 14 was an easy assignment.
“Fighting for the world title was never really an issue as we thought it wouldn’t do anything to increase pay-per-view sales,” said Arum. “But because of the outcry in the press, I talked to Cotto and explained that while defending the WBO welterweight title wouldn’t mean much in pay-per-view sales, there would be negativity and that could affect sales.”
Arum said Cotto didn’t think twice about staking his crown.
“It’s not about the sanction fee because whatever is the amount (rumored to be $300,000), we at Top Rank would take care of it, not the fighters,” said Arum.
As for the fight itself, Arum said it could be the most difficult in Pacquiao’s career.
“I think this is going to be a tougher fight than either (Oscar) de la Hoya or (Ricky) Hatton,” said Arum. “Cotto is a real welterweight. To win, Manny has to be at his best. Cotto’s tough, he can take a punch, he pressures you. He won’t go down easily. He showed it in fighting guys like (Antonio) Margarito and (Sugar Shane) Mosley. He’s fought some of the best guys out there. Manny’s got to be very well prepared to beat Cotto. He’ll have his hands full.”
Arum said what makes the fight extra special is it will cement Pacquaio’s legacy if he wins.
“Manny’s going for his seventh world title in as many divisions and he’ll be the first to do it in boxing history,” said Arum.
Arum said because of tax laws, Pacquiao will train outside of US territory, possibly in the Bahamas, Vancouver or somewhere in Mexico.
“I’ve talked to (Pacquiao’s adviser) Mike Koncz about,” said Arum. “Mike is going to Mexico in a few days to check out Cancun. Manny is looking for a place to train where it’s hilly. As far as I know, he’s not training in the Philippines. Once he comes for our press tour, that will lead to the start of his hard training.”
Arum said because Pacquiao has stayed in the US for long periods this year, if he trains in Los Angeles for two months, he will be taxed like a citizen and subject to a huge assessment.
“That’s why we’re keeping Manny away from the US during his training and he’ll come in just a few weeks before the fight,” said Arum.
Arum hesitated to speculate on whom Pacquiao would fight next after Cotto but rattled off the usual names, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Edwin Valero.
“I think Valero’s a candidate,” said Arum. “We’re trying to get him in the undercard of Manny’s fight against Cotto and his showing will give us an idea if he’s ready for Manny.”
Arum is in Las Vegas to promote the Nonito Donaire-Rafael Concepcion card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here this morning (Manila time).
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=496444&publicationSubCategoryId=69
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