Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: Bob Arum Shocked of Pacquiao's Decision to Postpone Bout Announcement
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is shocked of the Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao's decision to postpone details on his bout announcement.
"Being surprised is a polite term for it," Arum told Boxing Scene.
The eight-division world champion should have released information regarding whom he will fight next on Dec. 11, ESPN noted, citing Arum's spokesman Fred Sternburg. Yet, it appears that "Pacman" still has not made up his mind yet.
"I was asked to tell you on Bob's behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet," Sternburg said.
However, Arum remains optimistic that his elite fighter will finally let the public know of his decision soon.
"But again, it's his career, it's his life and the announcement will come when it will come. So I'm not there (with Manny), Mike (Koncz) is there. Mike is doing what he can and hopefully it will be made shortly," the promoter said.
Los Angeles Times noted that there's a great chance that the World Boxing Organization welterweight king Timothy Bradley will be Pacquiao's pick for his farewell battle.
This means a Pacquiao vs. Bradley 3 should be in order soon. This bout has long been expected by Bradley, said his former trainer Joel Diaz per an On the Ropes Boxing Radio interview.
Diaz shared that Bradley felt that if he got the WBO title after his loss to "Pacman" in 2014, the Filipino icon "is going to come back to me again."
Pacquiao and Bradley met for the first time in June 2012, where Bradley won via a split decision and captured the WBO title from "Pacman" at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, per BoxRec. They reportedly clashed again after two years in the same venue, and "Pacman" earned back the WBO crown and delivered Bradley his first and only loss.
Yet, with Pacquiao being tentative on his plans, will there be really a third showdown to complete their boxing saga?
Although Pacquiao is still indecisive with his opponent's name for April 9, his longtime promoter is ready to ignite the ring that fateful day, with or without Pacquiao.
Arum told Boxing Scene that his concrete plan is to push through with his April 9 schedule at the MGM Grand Arena. He is hoping that the battle will be headed by "Pacman."
"If not we'll find other talent to go on. But April 9th we're definitely going ahead at the MGM arena," Arum said.
Does the promoter feel Pacquiao may not even return in April for his last fight?
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