Pacquiao to fight November 23, possibly in Macau

MACAU – Manny Pacquiao will make the first defense of his newly-reclaimed WBO welterweight title on November 23 with the Venetian Resort in Macau being the frontrunner to host the event.

Pacquiao last fought in Macau in November, defeating former WBA lightweight titleholder Brandon Rios by unanimous decision.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes the 8-division champ Pacquiao, said that no opponent has been confirmed but he will announce one next week. He disclosed that he will meet with Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked Pacquiao out in 6 rounds in 2012, about fighting Pacquiao for a fifth time when Marquez arrives in New York to watch the Sergio Martinez vs Miguel Cotto middleweight title match on June 7.

“Frankly since his victory over (Mike Alvarado on May 17) I haven’t talked to (Marquez). I thought it was an excellent fight, he showed what a great champ he is,” said Arum, who is in Macau promoting Saturday night’s Nonito Donaire Jr vs Simphiwe Vetyeka WBA featherweight title match.

Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 knockouts) of General Santos City last fought in April, avenging his defeat to Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision. Arum was openly incensed with the MGM Grand for their heavy promotion of the Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Marcos Maidana fight during Pacquiao-Bradley II fight week, which included a full length banner of Mayweather on the side of the building.

MGM Grand and sister property Mandalay Bay are the only casino properties that have on-location arenas for boxing in Las Vegas. Arum says is in talks with Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson and Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn to sponsor a boxing event next year at the Thomas and Mack Center off the strip.

“We’re looking forward to at least 5 more fights so we hope that some of them will be in Vegas,” said Arum.

The Mexico City native Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) lost a decision to Bradley in his first fight after the Pacquiao knockout win and will turn 41 in August.

Arum said he doesn’t have a short list of opponents that he can disclose, presumably to protect his negotiating position with the opponents. “We go fight by fight, and obviously we don’t do any fights that don’t have (Pacquiao’s) seal of approval.” – Rappler.com