By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum yesterday ruled out a fight between WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and OPBF champion Randy Suico in March.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Arum said that while he was aware of Rex “Wakee” Salud’s interest in arranging a Suico-Diaz fight on the undercard of the March 15 “Unfinished Business” between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez he had “already made a commitment to Ramon Montoya” to fight Diaz on the HBO televised portion of the pay-per-view card.
At the same time Arum said they “don’t have any plans” to feature any other Filipinos on the TV fights but that “there might be a Filipino on the non-televised portion” in one of the preliminary bouts.
Well known Cebu promoter Sammy Gello-ani disclosed that undefeated Ciso Morales who has a record of 9-0 with 6 knockouts is scheduled to see action in six round preliminary bout and he had asked Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez to find a suitable opponent for Morales.
The March 15 card is a co-promotion of Golden Boy and Top Rank and will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Meantime, there is a growing controversy over OPBF light flyweight champion Juanito Rubillar amidst a report that the Rubillar title eliminator against former champion Omar Nino would also take place on the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard.
Rubillar is managed by Arlene Elorde, wife of promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde who went to the GAB on Thursday along with Mrs. Laura Elorde, matriarch of the Elorde family and met with Commissioner Angel Bautista. The meeting was to ensure that the GAB doesn’t recognize a contract Rubillar is reported to have signed with former world champion Morris East who supposedly plans to take him to the US.
Boxing Division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz said the GAB “is concerned because Rubillar still has a ‘live’ contract with Arlene (Elorde) which is upto 2011” which is the contract that is recognized by the GAB.
