With no word on the possibility of a Floyd Mayweather fight, Top Rank head Bob Arum is moving forward with Shane Mosley, Andre Berto, and Juan Manuel Marquez as the potential opponents for a April 16 date.
Arum disclosed to the Manila Bulletin that he already has contract offers in place for Shane Mosley and Andre Berto. Marquez, who Arum stated would have to move up from 135 to 147 to face Pacquiao, is expected to send over a contract soon.
Arum and Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz have repeatedly said in recent weeks that their fighter’s next opponent, like Margarito in November, will be decided by who brings the most to the table economically, and not challenge-wise. However, Arum was emphatic in stating Pacquiao would make the final decision.
“In the end, it’s going to be Manny’s decision,” Arum told the Manila Bulletin. “We are going to discuss the economics but he will make the call. He’s the one fighting.”
Last week, Arum told the press that Mosley remains the frontrunner because he’s the “biggest name available.” In May, Mosley’s losing effort against Floyd Mayweather generated 1.4 million pay-per-view buys. The numbers for Mosley’s September draw with Sergio Mora were never officially released. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer estimated the amount at over 100,000 buys.
Andre Berto has never fought on pay-per-view. Juan Manuel Marquez’s last pay-per-view, a rematch with Juan Diaz, did between 150,000-200,000 buys earlier this year. His biggest career tally, 400,000 buys, came courtesy of his 2008 rematch against Pacquiao.
Manny Pacquiao’s proposed April 16 bout will be held in Las Vegas.
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Remember how Bob Arum used to rip into Floyd Mayweather because he wouldn’t face Antonio Margarito? Floyd’s argument back in 2006 was that Margarito wasn’t a big enough name. Arum countered that Margarito would be a bigger challenge than Floyd’s recent opponents at that time in Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir. Both were right. But it’s highly ironic to hear Arum using Mayweather’s logic in deciding who Pacquiao’s next opponent will be.
If Pacquiao fights Mosley next, it confirms that he’s no different from Mayweather when it comes to money trumping legacy. And I don’t have a problem with any boxer taking that stance as long as they’re upfront about it. Just don’t twist the truth like one guy fights for legacy (Pacquiao), and the other money (Mayweather).
My pick is still Andre Berto. The whole “who brings the most money to the table” argument is tired from both Pacquiao and Mayweather. Those two are the only genuine superstars in boxing, and that means they can make huge money fighting anybody. They could fight me next and get close to 1 million buys. None of the three potential Pacquiao opponents have strong pay-per-view figures by themselves. But Berto is undefeated, unblemished by brutal wars, and is in the prime of his career. That can’t be said about Mosley or a bloated, 147 pound version of Juan Manuel Marquez. Beating Berto would be a legacy statement for Pacquiao as well as a nice payday.
If what Arum says is true about Pacquiao holding the final decision, I hope Pacman elects to take the fight that enriches his wallet AND legacy.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
mosley will be the gr8 opponent for pacqio..