Jerry Glick reporting: Todd du Boef, Bob Arum’s stepson did an admirable job filling in for the venerable head man at Top Rank Promotions, when the Pacquiao-Margarito hype train stopped in New York City without him. Why, because Arum was on the other end of the country, near Seattle, Washington, looking for his 49 year old son John.
John Arum, an avid and accomplished mountaineer had not reported home last Sunday as expected prompting his wife Susan to call the National Park Service. With bad weather in the area of Storm King Peak, located in the Cascade Mountains where John Arum was climbing, the search was suspended until Monday. At that time she called the senior Arum to advise him of the situation. Arum then contacted du Boef and asked him to handle the New York leg of the media tour.
As of this morning according to a source at Top Rank, the situation is unchanged. Contact with John Arum has not been made as of yet. Arum has three children; John is the oldest, then Richard and Liz.
The show must go on, and so the press and a large gathering of fans entered New York City’s Chelsea Piers for a press conference to hype the November 13th show slated for The Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
FREDDY ROACH
Freddy Roach said that he expected to see his man, Manny Pacquiao, win by decision (or KO) over unlikely opponent, the controversial Antonio Margarito, when they face off for the vacant WBC Super-Welterweight belt.
Roach said that although they are fighting for the 154 pound title, “Manny best fighting weight, I know what it is and that’s what we’ll come in at,” said Roach. “We’ll enter the ring at 148 or 149. “
There will be a catch weight imposed at 150 pounds. Roach said that he believes that it is skill, not weight that wins fights (so why the catch weight?).
Roach admitted that he wanted to face Mayweather, but is satisfied with what is currently on his plate.
“Obviously I wanted Mayweather,” said the Trainer of the Year. “He’s always a challenge, but this fight is second best.” He added that Margarito was very beatable.
In facing Margarito Pacquiao will be looking up at the taller man. The Mexican is 5’11” while the new Congressman from the Philippines is 5’6 ½”, a difference of 4 ½”. It should be remembered that Roach turned down another tall opponent not too long ago, Yuri Foreman because of his height advantage; the question is, what is the difference?
“This guy’s hittable,” explained Roach. “Foreman was more of a mover, more of a boxer, but (Margarito) is a guy who comes to you and guys who come to you, I don’t worry about those type of guys with Manny Pacquiao.”
Roach is skeptical about Mayweather’s desire to fight the Pacman.
“The more I think about it,“ said Roach. “Mayweather just wants to have that zero on his record because if he has that zero on his record he can argue that he’s the greatest fighter of all time for the rest of his life. That’s more important to him than fighting this fight. So will it happen? Hopefully he’ll go broke and need a lot of money.”
MANNY PACQUIAO
Manny Pacquiao is not too generous. He won’t give opponent Margarito the benefit of the doubt. He believes that he knew what was in his hand wrap before his fight with Mosley.
“You are the fighter and you know what’s in the hand wraps on your hands,” said the man who claims that he wraps his own hands.
I asked Manny if he will remain in the 154 pound class if he wins in November. He said “No”.
“I will drop back to welterweight or below welterweight," he said. Below? According to Roach he does not see his man fighting at less than 147 pounds, the welterweight limit. He was asked if Manny will ever go down to 140, “No, the lowest he will fight at is 147.”
Pacquiao is not unhappy that he is fighting Margarito instead of Mayweather.
“I’m not disappointed,” said Pacman. “I’m not really looking for that fight because what I have done in boxing I’m very satisfied. If you compare what I achieved in boxing with his achievements, he needs me.”
At the relatively young age of 31, the P4P king has his eye on politics, which he admits is a very tough job, and claims that he expects to call it career in boxing in a couple of fights. After accomplishing the passing bills that he championed (no pun intended) in Congress, he feels that he is able to help people with his work in government.
“I’m doing good in congress and I passed a couple of bills,” said the recently elected congressmen, Pacquiao. “My priority, in my province was to create a hospital, and creating a college and university, and a land deal for my constituents, and a health bill for everybody.”
He added that he found politics to be worse than he expected it to be.
“It’s not that easy to be a public servant,” admitted the seven division world champion. “It is my dream to help others.”
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