Team Pacquiao, Arum Set Mexico Meeting, Venue Review

By Lem Satterfield

Manny Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, and his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, are heading to Mexico with two stops in mind. First they plan to stop in Tijuana to hold a meeting with Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions. Beltran is the co-promoter of Antonio Margarito and Top Rank's partner in Mexico. Arum, Koncz and Beltran will discuss a possible fight between Pacquiao and Margarito for November 13. After the meeting, all three men will head to Monterrey to review the venue that could possibly stage Pacquiao-Margarito.

"I met with [Top Rank Promotions CEO] Bob Arum last night for more discussion at 9 p.m., and we're going to Tijuana, Mexico, to discusss the plans with Fernando Beltran, who is the promoter for Antonio Margarito," said Koncz. "On Thursday, Bob has asked me to postpone my trip to the Philippines to accompany him and Fernando to Monterrey, Mexico to look at the site there."

The other possible venue, in Abu Dhabi, "is very much in play," says Koncz.

"We have a representative in Abu Dhabi, and they have until July 28 to close the deal with them," said Koncz. "If they don't close the deal by July 28, then we'll move on to Mexico. We have to have significant time to promote the fight."

If they can't reach a deal with Margarito, then Pacquiao will turn his attention to a rematch with Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao knocked Cotto out last November to win the WBO welterweight title. Cotto is now the WBA champion at junior middleweight, and that allows presents Pacquiao with the opportunity to capture an eight divisional title.

"I've had personal talks with Miguel over dinner. Making the agreement with the two opponents is the easiest part of this promotion," said Koncz. "I would think that we should have a verbal committment in the next three, four days, and by the end of the week, we should have a good indication on what is going to happen."

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 .