Bob Arum: Manny Pacquiao is Definitely Fighting Again this Year

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is definitely fighting again this year, says Bob Arum in a recent interview by G.Leon of Boxingtalk. But what happens if Pacquiao wins in the upcoming congressional elections in the Philippines where he is a candidate representing his district in Southern Philippines?

Arum says if Pacquiao wins in the elections, he will probably fight in November; but if he loses, he will most likely fight in September. Win or lose, Arum says, Pacquiao is fighting again this year. But who will Manny Pacquiao fight?

Boxing fans want a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. It is long overdue. The fight was originally set for March 13 but it was called off due to disagreement on drug testing protocol that the Mayweather camp wanted Pacquiao to undergo.

Pacquiao declined Mayweather's demand and the fight was called off. The Filipino boxer went on to fight Joshua Clottey of Ghana at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas where Pacquiao won the match via a unanimous decision.

Mayweather on the other hand signed up with Shane Mosley for a fight at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 1. Arum says that if Mayweather wins over Mosley, he won't be able to fight Pacquiao soon after because of a possible mandatory rematch provision in their contract.

The contract provision may likewise work the same in the case of Mosley. At least five names were mentioned as Pacquiao's next possible opponents. They are Antonio Margarito, Andre Berto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Edwin Valero on top of Mayweather and Mosley.

Arum says he is working on a Pacquiao-Margarito match but the Mexican-American boxer has to have his boxing license reinstated after it was cancelled due to the discovery of illegal hand wraps inside his gloves during his fight with Shane Mosley.

But boxing fans want a Pacquiao-Mayweather match. A Pacquiao-Mosley encounter comes out second most preferred by boxing fans in online surveys, followed by Antonio Margarito and Adre Berto in that order.

(original article appeared @ Digital Journal )