The prospects of Manny Pacquiao
winning an eighth world title in as many weight classes is making Bob Arum forget about Floyd Mayweather, Jr.As the ultimatum issued by Arum for Mayweather to make a decision nears, the Hall of Fame promoter is readying a couple of attractive alternatives for Pacquiao, who is likewise excited to win an unprecedented eighth world crown.
Pacquiao is widely recognized as a seven-division world champion and even if a fight with Mayweather does not materialize this year, the Filipino can still look forward to a historic night.“If Manny fights Miguel Cotto, it could be in a Middle Eastern country and if it’s Antonio Margarito, it could be in a 20,000-seat arena in Monterrey,” said Arum on Wednesday from Las Vegas, where he has been keenly awaiting word from Mayweather to issue a statement regarding a proposed November 13 showdown with Pacquiao.
Cotto of Puerto Rico holds the WBO super-welterweight crown and if Pacquiao clashes with Margarito, it would be for the vacant WBC version of the 154-lb throne.
Pacquiao has won world titles at flyweight, super-bantam, feather, superrfeather, lightweight, junior-welter and welterweight, a feat not even the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard has achieved, winning just five.
“My meeting with representatives from that Middle Eastern country went very well,” said Arum.
Arum is giving Mayweather until the end of this week to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Arum said super-flyweight Nonito Donaire, the lone Filipino who won over the weekend in Puerto Rico, will be showcased in a big promotion versus world bantam king Fernando Montiel of Mexico in November.
“It won’t be in the undercard of a Pacquiao fight,” said Arum, who boasts that everything is green and go for such a matchup unless Montiel loses this weekend.
Montiel is meeting Rafael Concepcion of Panama this Saturday in Mexico City.
If Montiel survives Concepcion — which ringsiders believe he will — Donaire will be next in line.
Source: mb.com.ph
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