Manny Pacquiao Next Fight Update: Bob Arum Says Boxing Legend Could Face Juan Manuel Marquez, Danny Garcia, or Ruslan Provodnikov
Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum revealed that they have narrowed down the list of Manny Pacquiao's possible opponents in his next fight on Nov. 22 in Macau.
Arum said on Wednesday that Juan Manuel Marquez is still their top option because Pacquiao is still itching to avenge his sixth-round knockout loss to his Mexican rival in their fourth showdown in December 2012.
The famed promoter said that he is scheduled to talk to Marquez on Thursday about the proposed fifth fight with Pacquiao, revealing that he arranged a meeting with the Mexican boxing icon to gauge his interest personally.
"We brought him here," Arum said of Marquez. "I don't want to be racist or anything because it's not racist. But you can't really talk to a Mexican on a phone about a deal. You've got to sit him in front of you, you've got to look at his face."
It is still unknown at this point whether or not Marquez is really interested in facing Pacquiao again after saying before that their storied rivalry is over after his knockout win in their fourth fight.
And if Marquez continues to show no interest in a rematch with the former pound-for-pound king, Arum said that they will consider reigning WBO light welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov and Argentine welterweight Luis Carlos Abregu.
Arum also revealed that they are considering fighters from Golden Boy Promotions, including reigning WBA and WBC junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia.
"There are plenty of names," Arum said. "Ruslan Provodnikov is on the list. Carlos Abregu, the Argentinian welterweight is on the list. Those are two of the principal names, and then we have to see how many Golden Boy fighters would be available for the fight, and that will become clear in the next week or so."
The 82-year-old promoter said that Garcia will move up on top of their list if he is only with Golden Boy Promotions and not tied with other boxing personalities, like Al Haymon.
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who is also under Golden Boy Promotions, is also being considered as a future opponent for Pacquiao, but the former middleweight champion will not be available to fight again in November.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of latinpost.com