By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has no idea what’s going on with Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao, who has been evasive and non-committal on who he plans to fight on Dec. 8 amidst speculation that he may not wish to fight this year.

In a brief overseas conversation with BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard on Monday from his home in Las Vegas, Arum said he has had no word from Pacquiao on his choice of an opponent.

Asked whether he had any idea of what’s going on, Arum replied: “Nope.”

There are reports that Pacquiao doesn’t want to fight this year and is waiting for Arum to work something out for a megabuck fight with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I have no idea. I don’t understand what’s going on,” said Arum, reflecting the views of many others both in and outside the Pacquiao camp.

However, Pacquiao’s Filipino lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal was more positive in his outlook.

“I think he will definitely fight on Dec. 8 and he is deciding on whether it is (Timothy) Bradley or (Juan Manuel) Marquez,” said Gacal.

Pacquiao dropped a widely condemned split decision to Bradley and lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight title.

He faced Marquez three times, drawing the first, winning the second by a majority decision and the third by a controversial split decision.

The lawyer disclosed that Pacquiao will be leaving for Los Angeles on Sept. 14 to do two of his GMA 7 shows and may announce a choice of opponent “before he flies or when he gets there.”

Arum earlier said they have plenty of time, noting that they would “do the promotional tour and the press conferences immediately after the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez fight, which is on this Saturday.