Bob Arum says Pacquiao vs Vargas not yet sure, Crawford still in play

Contrary to what Manny Pacquiao’s manager  Michael Koncz said last August 3, Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum emphasized that the match between the “Pambasang Kamao” and  World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas is not yet final because Pacquiao still hasn’t decided who he will fight.

 

The veteran boxing promoter said in an interview with Manila Times: “No, not so fast. Everybody is jumping the gun about Manny fighting Jessie Vargas on November 5 after learning that there is a negotiation but no agreement has been reached yet because I need to talk first to Manny when I go there in Manila.”

He emphasized that aside from Vargas, unified junior welterweight WBO and World Boxing Council champion Terence Crawford is also one of Pacquiao’s potential opponents for his comeback match.

 

Koncz, who is set to arrive in the Philippines this week together with Arum to meet Pacquiao, said that the purpose of the visit won’t include choosing Pacquiao’s opponent for this comeback fight because they’ve already decided that the Filipino boxing icon will face Vargas.

He said that he and Pacquiao decided they aren’t comfortable with the style of Crawford, so they chose Vargas.

He told Los Angeles Times: “I don’t like Crawford’s style. I don’t believe it’s a style that suits Manny.”

Arum clarified that Koncz only spoke for himself and not for Pacquiao.

Boxing Scene quoted him as saying: “I need to know what Manny wants.”

 

Pacquiao announced his retirement after facing and defeating Bradley last April to focus on his political career.

However, he opened up recently that he plans to return inside the boxing ring because he really misses boxing.

ABS-CBN News quoted him as saying: “Aminin ko ah (I will admit), boxing is my passion.”

Daily News 4:35 PM