• Welterweight

Pacquiao mystery deepens as Arum admits frustration

ESPN staff
September 11, 2012
Pacquiao has reportedly gone cold on the idea of fighting this year © PA Photos
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Promoter Bob Arum has admitted hearing nothing from Manny Pacquiao regarding his choice of next opponent, more than two weeks after an official announcement was expected to arrive.

Juan Manuel Marquez said last month that "it was almost a fact" he would face Pacquiao for a fourth time during December - but there has still been no confirmation.

Asked by the Manila Standard whether he had any idea what was going on, Arum replied: "Nope. I have no idea."

Reports have emerged that Pacquiao, who holds political interests outside the ring and wants to become governor of Sarangani provence in his native Philippines, has gone cold on the idea of fighting this year.

There were three names proposed as potential opponents: Marquez, Timothy Bradley and Miguel Cotto. Cotto has now confirmed a bout with Austin Trout in December, so he is off the table if Pacquiao is to compete during 2012.

Both trainer Freddie Roach and Arum expressed a reluctance to meet Bradley, which appeared to leave Marquez as the man in waiting. They have fought three times before, with each clash entertaining and ending with a hotly-contested verdict.

However, with Pacquiao tight-lipped on the matter, confusion reigns. Rumours of a Floyd Mayweather Jr contest persist, but as he is recently out of jail, he is not expected to fight before 2013.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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