By Robert Morales

Step 8 of the 12-step program originally established by Alcoholics Anonymous requires one to make a list of all persons he or she has harmed and become willing to make amends. Step 9 says to make direct amends, except when doing so would injure the alcoholic or others.

Oscar De La Hoya's reason for being in a California rehabilitation clinic is listed as substance abuse - meaning alcohol and/or drugs - but he seems to be following the 12-step program based on a tweet he doled out to rival promoter Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao this week.

De La Hoya and Arum have been in an ongoing feud for years, complete with nasty insults. De La Hoya is one of those being sued by Pacquiao for his intimation that Pacquiao uses performance-enhancing drugs.

"Dear Bob Arum," the tweet began. "First I would like to humbly apologize for any pain I have caused to you and or your family. I also want to apologize to Manny Pacquiao for any wrongdoing on my part. You are a great champion. I have realized that by accepting my mistakes everyone around me will hopefully forgive me.

"With great humility I ask we work together for the good of the sport we dearly love. It is not fair to the fans and to the fighters.

"So today let's move forward and put on the best fights possible and show the world what we are capable of doing. Thank you Bob."

Arum was asked Friday what he thinks of De La Hoya's apologies.

"I accept them for what they are," Arum said via telephone. "I believe it is a sincere apology, which I accept. And I'm grateful that he did it. But other than that, I know what you know."

This appears to be another step in the direction of Arum's Top Rank Inc. and De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions again doing business. Arum had said the only way that would happen was if De La Hoya apologized for his part in allegedly defaming Pacquiao, who never has tested positive for PEDs.

The last time the giants did business together was the Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight two years ago this month.

Last week the sides came to a confidential agreement that would allow for Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III in November. Golden Boy had the right to match any offer coming to Marquez, but that was avoided during a meeting between Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer and Arum, who Friday said Pacquiao figures to sign his part of the contract next week.