MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao’s much-awaited ring return could be in May next year, according to the Filipino fighter’s Hall of Fame promoter. Top Rank chief Bob Arum told fight scribe Michael Marley that while he hasn’t talked it over with Pacquiao and is only planning to do so when he visits the Philippines in mid-December, May looks like it.
Pacquiao is coming off a brutal win over the Mexican giant Antonio Margarito and immediately after the victory, he said he will take a break from boxing for the next six months so he could relax a bit.
Arum said several marquee names are on the list but Floyd Mayweather remains on top.
But owing to Mayweather’s legal troubles, Arum said he has several backup plans, naming Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez as candidates.
Mosley appears ot have the inside track since Arum had started talking with Mosley and his representative, James Prince.
As Arum was presiding over the Pacquiao-Margarito post-fight press conference at Cowboys Stadium in Arlingotn, Texas, last Nov. 13, Mosley was at the sidelines holding court with reporters.
Last Monday, Pacquiao said he prefers Mosley over Marquez because the promotion might lose money if he fights Marquez for the third time.
Arum plans to stage two Pacquiao fights next year.
Source:By NICK GIONGCO
November 23, 2010,
