Top Rank’s top honcho Bob Arum wants a Pacquiao-Hatton match in Las Vegas, Nevada instead of London’s Wembley Stadium which was originally suggested by the camp of the popular British boxer, Ricky Hatton.
Both Arum and Pacquiao agree that next boxing event should happen in Las Vegas with Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton as the main attraction. Arum said in a report published in the Inquirer.net, that the match could be held as early as March 2, 2008. The venue has not been announced. Arum explained though that he still has to consult Manny Pacquiao on the date because of his previous personal and business commitments.
Arum clarified though that he has yet to confer with Pacquiao regarding the details of the proposed match up. Earlier Pacquiao said that he was willing to fight Hatton in England.
The announcement was made by Bob Arum when he arrived in Manila last Tuesday to attend the 30th birthday party of Pacquiao yesterday. Arum was Manny’s special guest together with trainer and future hall of famer, Freddie Roach. The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the special guest of honor. Other boxing personalities that attended the party include former Lightweight Champion David Diaz and the undefeated young boxer Edwin Valero who is courting Pacquiao for a possible future match.
On the question of venue, Arum said earlier that it would be best to stage the fight in Las Vegas because of time difference, which means that the fight will take place early morning in London, to generate additional pay-per-view receipts in North America and elsewhere in the world. Pay-per-view receipts comprise a big chunk of the total revenues generated for the event.
Manny Pacquiao recently won over Oscar de la Hoya in their Dream Match that took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada last December 6, 2008. Manny Pacquiao was the underdog and many boxing fans called the fight a “mismatch” because of Oscar de la Hoya’s superior built. The fight ended in KO in the eighth round.
Ricky Hatton who is challenging Pacquiao is the current British boxing superstar. He is considered as the best and ideal match for Manny Pacquiao because of their almost same physical built and their known boxing style. Freddie Roach said earlier that the proposed match up is “not going to be a boring fight”.
Another boxing superstar, Floyd Mayweather has announced his intention to tangle with Manny Pacquiao saying that he is coming out of his self-imposed retirement in order to make himself available for the fight. However the handlers of Pacquiao said that Hatton should come first and deal with Mayweather later in 2009. They added that the longer Mayweatehr becomes inactive the better it will be for Pacquiao.