The possibility of Manny Pacquiao’s forthcoming showdown against Korean Injin Chi not being held in Macau as originally planned has opened the doors for either Manila or Las Vegas being the venue of the fight.
A Team Pacquiao insider said an ocular inspection made by Pacquiao confidante Wakee Salud in Macau last week yielded negative results, and that an alternative venue for the April 28 bout is already being considered.
The fight should be the first for Pacquiao since he demolished Mexican rival Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas last Nov. 18. It should also be the first of at least two fights for the left-handed Filipino this year.
But the absence of a venue that could house more than 10,000 boxing fans in Macau has somehow stalled the ongoing negotiations between fight promoter Top Rank and Wynn Hotel which is presenting the scheduled 12-rounder at 130 lbs.
There’s a new venue reportedly being constructed in Macau but whether it could be ready in time for the April 28 fight remains a question.
Before facing Morales last November, Pacquiao fought and defeated another Mexican, Oscar Larios, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Another factor going against Macau as host is the fact that while Pacquiao is popular among Filipinos based there, the Chinese are not at this time avid followers of the Pinoy ring sensation.
Drawing a sell-out crowd in Macau, therefore, is in doubt.
Because of this, Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the US as soon as possible, with his Filipino lawyer Franklin Gacal. They are scheduled to meet Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, and probably decide in the next few days whether or not the fight is pushing through in Macau.
Pacquiao was at the US Embassy yesterday morning trying to facilitate his visa.