Bob Arum Expects Fireworks in 'Donald Trump' Undercard

By Victor Salazar

New York, New York - When it comes to pay-per-view undercards and Bob Arum, not many people have been pleased with fights put together by Top Rank in recent years. However, for Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley 3, Arum announced an undercard that many fans would have probably given more praise had Pacquiao selected a different opponent for his April 9th retirement bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Arum felt this trilogy fight deserved an undercard that was worthy enough to support the main serving of the HBO Pay-Per-View.

The undercard will feature a co-main event with Gilberto Ramirez taking on WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham. Young Mexican prospect Oscar Valdez will take on former IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich.

To open up the pay-per-view, one of Arum’s young ticket sellers Jose Ramirez will battle it out with Manny Perez.

The undercard theme is revolving around Mexican fighters.

Arum poked fun with the media dubbing it the Donald Trump undercard.

"The undercard on April 9th, we call it the Donald Trump undercard because in every one of the undercard fights features a Hispanic fighter that Mr. Trump wouldn’t dare deport,” explained Arum.

“I dedicate the undercard to the 11 million people who live among us who are undocumented, who do a lot of work, raise families and for the most part do well. Those people need a legal pathway to this country. I think this undercard will symbolize this effort.”

Arum is taking full advantage of the ongoing changing of the guard, and says it’s time to showcase some of his rising stars on a big platform.

“Jose Ramirez fights out of Central Valley California which produces so much of the food we eat in the country,” stated Arum. “He’s a future superstar doing 13,000 fans in Fresno California. Oscar Valdez who is a two time Mexican Olympian, number 1 rated featherweight in the world will fight Evgeny Gradovich. Finally Gilbero ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez will challenge the long time super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham on the card, a 50-50 fight.”