By Ronnie Nathanielsz
POUND-FOR-POUND king Manny Pacquiao will meet new NBA sensation Jeremy Lin at New York’s Madison Square Garden, home of the Knicks next Wednesday as part of a hectic schedule laid out for the Fighter of the Decade.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Pacquiao, who leaves with his adviser Michael Koncz, will be in Los Angeles Thursday night and in Las Vegas on Friday.
Arum said Pacquiao will give his deposition on Friday in the case he filed against Floyd Mayweather Jr., his father Floyd Sr. and uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather.
“We are trying to make final arrangements in light of Manny’s schedule as well as the schedules of several attorneys,” said Pacquiao’s lawyer David Marroso. “Our case against the Mayweathers continues. We expect depositions to occur over the next two months and hopefully, trial shortly thereafter.”
Pacquiao will also attend the gala dinner for former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali on Saturday, hosted by the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is honoring the legendary boxer, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday.
Arum already had commitments from George Foreman, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Chuck Wepner, George Chuvalo and also Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran.
“We’re reaching out for Marvin Hagler,” said Arum. “Hopefully, Manny can join the festivities and I’ll even allow him to sing a song in honor of Muhammad Ali. So, it should be a great, great night. We will also sort out everything related to Pacquiao’s WBO (World Boxing Organization) welterweight title defense.”
Arum said that on the same day, Pacquiao will do all the commercials and the promo stuff in LA at the Beverly Hills Hotel, followed by a press conference on Tuesday.
Pacquiao then flies to New York on Tuesday night.
“He will do something for Nike in the morning, shoot some more stuff in the afternoon and then, we are taking him to Madison Square Garden for a meet and greet with the new Asian superstar in basketball Jeremy Lin,” said Arum.
