Pacquiao may fight in US or Phl – Arum

MANILA, Philippines - Legendary promoter Bob Arum isn’t ruling out the possibility of Manny Pacquiao returning to fight in the United States or his home soil.

Pacquiao, the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight classes, is scheduled to face Brandon Rios in Macau in November.

It will be the first fight for the 34-year-old congressman since being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez last December at the MGM Grand.

It’s also the first fight outside of the United States for Pacquiao since 2006 when he treated his countrymen to a 12-round show against Oscar Larios in 2006.

Pacquiao is hoping to get back to the winner’s circle after another loss to Tim Bradley in June last year.

An impressive win against Rios will once again open a lot of possibilities for Pacquiao, the former pound-for-pound champion.

Arum said that includes a fight in the United States or the Philippines.

The ageless promoter spoke to Radio Rahim TV the other day, and said Pacquiao is skipping the US because of high tax rates on foreign athletes.

“He (Manny) would be open to fight in the United States. It’s all a matter of running the numbers: if he makes a certain amount in the United States, he has to pay 40 percent in taxes. If he makes a certain amount of money in Macau, it’s a very small percentage.

“So you run the numbers, if you fought in the United States and the numbers are such that you’ve taken to account the taxes and still make economic sense, he would fight in the United States,” Arum added.

The only fight that could make such economic sense of course is the fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. who stakes his perfect record against Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.

If both Mayweather and Pacquiao are victorious in their next fights, negotiations for the super showdown may regain its old momentum.

But if Pacquiao ends up fighting someone else outside Mayweather next year, it could be on home soil.

“Right now they are building four casinos in Manila Bay and there is no reason why Pacquiao can’t fight there in a year or so,” said Arum.

Right now, there are two new casinos – Resorts World and Solaire – that are making the government-owned Pagcor casinos a big run for its money.

And while these new casinos don’t have an in-house venue to host a Pacquiao fight, either one can hook up with the nearby Mall of Asia Arena, venue of recent Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga concerts.

In October, The Arena will host a pre-season NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets. If it can host such events, then it can host a Pacquiao fight.

Pacquiao’s legal counsel, Frank Gacal, told The STAR a few days ago that talks are on with people hoping to do a Pacquiao fight in Manila.

“There are talks although there’s nothing concrete. May mga gusto. The possibility is open. Anything can happen next year,” he said without identifying those involved in the talks.

Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan is also capable of putting up the Pacquiao fight in Manila.

Or the government itself if it wants another “Thrilla in Manila.”