By Lem Satterfield
According to promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, there will be no fight discussions with Manny Pacquiao until at least mid-December. Arum is planning to travel to the Philippines in mid-December to celebrate Pacquiao's birthday, and to discuss the Filipino champion's next probable opponent. Arum has yet to hear back from Floyd Mayweather Jr., but still regards him as the top priority for Pacquiao's next fight.
Arum has already taken part in early discussions for fights with Shane Mosley and Andre Berto. Mayweather has yet to respond to Arum's request to name an individual who will negotiate on his behalf. If Arum doesn't hear back from Mayweather by mid-December, he will further explore Mosley, Berto and even Juan Manuel Marquez. Mosley is regarded as the frontrunner if a Mayweather fight falls through.
"I'm still hoping that Floyd Mayweather surfaces so that we can make that fight. I'm still hoping for that. I mean, that's still our No. 1 priority. But if that won't happen, then, as we get closer to my date of departure, which is Dec. 12, then we will explore Shane Mosley, and Andre Berto, and, maybe even Juan Manuel Marquez. Anybody like that would make an attractive fight," Arum said.
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.
