By Miguel Rivera
On Wednesday, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum discussed the latest details regarding Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao. Regarding the rumors of an April fight, Arum says it would be very difficult for Pacquiao to return on an April date and his return would likely not happen until September - the target for a fifth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Between have difficulties with finding a location to stage the fight and an upcoming political race in the Philippines, Arum says the plan for April is probably not going to happen. The April fight was being pushed by Pacquiao and his adviser Michael Koncz.
Regarding the fifth match with Marquez, Arum is looking at the strong possibility of staging the match outside of the United States. The first four meetings took place in Las Vegas. Arum says both Pacquiao and Marquez are satisfied with having the fifth fight in Macau or Mexico City, where there would significant revenue bumps for both boxers without the factor of having them pay federal taxes.
"The fight will not be in Las Vegas. I don't even think that its being done in the United States, because about 40 percent of the profits go to the government," said Arum.
Marquez on the other hand is still looking to fight in April, either of the 13th or 20th, according to promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions. Reportedly one of the leading candidates to face Marquez is unbeaten welterweight contender Jessie Vargas.
