Saturday, June 30, 2007 Pacquiao-Barrera rematch looms
WITH an agreement reportedly being finalized between the warring Top Rank Promotions of Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar De La Hoya over the right to promote Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, the boxing world is abuzz with talks of a high profile fight for the General Santos City fighter.
Reports from the United States have it that settlement papers will be signed today to end the legal battle between two boxing promotion giants over the right to handle Pacquiao.
With the peace agreement signed, the Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera rematch will be the best showcase of their “alliance.”
The rematch will reportedly be on Oct. 6 either at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas or at the LA Staples Center in Las Vegas.
According to the reports, De La Hoya prefers MGM Grand Hotel but Arum wants held in Los Angeles because live gate sellout would be much quicker in Southern California.
While the “legal hatchet” is about to be buried by a “universal settlement,” both camps will be announcing something big during the weekend after doing countless drafts and re-drafting of documents. A press conference in Los Angeles is scheduled, when the two outfits will reportedly announce the end of their legal wrangling over Pacquiao.
Arum has reportedly booked the LA Staples for an Oct. 6 fight for Pacquiao vs. Barrera II and the Golden Boy Promotions had reportedly agreed with it.
Pacquiao has long been expecting to fight Barrera after the long legal battle between the two promotional companies.
Pacquiao is said to be excited to fight Barrera in a rematch that would reportedly earn him $10 million.
On the other hand, Barrera, who is also part owner of Golden Boy Promotions, has been pressing his partners to give him the Pacquiao fight before he will hang his gloves for good. (RCM)
