Pacman in a very tough situation, says Arum

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By NICK GIONGCO

Bob Arum is not totally sold on a Manny Pacquiao victory over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 and this is the reason why the rematch has all the trappings of a classic, the Top Rank big boss told a boxing website yesterday.

"I like Manny’s chances, but as you said he’s in a very tough fight with Marquez," Arum said from New York just before he boarded a plane bound for Los Angeles. "I am hopeful about the result. Do I say Manny is going to win with any certainty? Of course not and that what makes this an interesting fight, but I am hopeful that he does win."

With 18 days remaining before Pacquiao and Marquez face off at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Arum is starting to feel excited and wary as well of what the future holds.

In the event Pacquiao gets past Marquez, Arum will pit the Filipino fireball against David Diaz for the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title in late-June in Macau, assuming of course Diaz retains the 135lb crown against Mexican Ramon Montano underneath the Pacquiao-Marquez headliner.

"If he wins and Pacquiao wins, we’re looking to do a huge event on June 21 on a PPV (pay-per-view) show from Macau," Arum, who describes the interest over the Pacquiao-Marquez showdown as being "enormous," said.

"There’s a frenzy in buying tickets, particularly among Filipinos and Mexicans," the 76-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer added, who expects a sellout by fight night at the 12,000-seat Events Center.

Arum told in a separate interview some weeks back that should the 34-year-old Marquez prevail, there’s going to be a rubber match to be made as per conditions that were included in the fight contract.

"I have to protect my fighter," Arum said, who will accompany the 29-year-old Pacquiao to San Francisco on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) for a promotional event. Joining Arum and Pacquiao to the one-day gig is top trainer Freddie Roach.

Marquez fights under the promotional banner of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

Pacquiao is the favored fighter, according to oddsmakers although Marquez is a live underdog.

Source:mb.com.ph

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