by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum plans to visit Manila in early August to meet with Manny Pacquiao and discuss plans for his next fight tentatively scheduled for November 10 in Las Vegas.

Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard “I will probably meet with Manny in the beginning of August. I’ll be coming over to Manila.”

As of now Arum said there no indications on who Pacquiao wants to fight “because I haven’t had an opportunity to even talk to Michael (Koncz) who is with his family” in Orange County in the US after his trip to Israel and Paris with Pacquiao and his family.

Pacquiao’s choice at the moment has been reportedly narrowed down to either a rematch with Timothy Bradley who won Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title in a scandalous split decision that was condemned around the world last June 9 in Las Vegas or a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao’s third fight against Marquez was hugely controversial with Pacquiao winning a twelve round majority decision last November 12 to retain his WBO welterweight title.

Marquez has been crying out for one last shot at Pacquiao but whether he will get it or whether Pacquiao will seek to avenge his loss to Bradley remains to be seen although the BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard has been informed that Pacquiao would prefer to avenge his questionable loss to Bradley by facing him in a rematch in November before taking on any other opponent. 

We have also learned that quiet, behind the scenes talks have been going on for a possible Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr fight in the first half of  next year in an effort to satisfy the demands of fight fans around the world for a showdown they have longed for.