Pacquiao fight could be in Macau or Singapore

[Fibroso]

Pacquiao fight could be in Macau or SingaporeThe Associated Press – Mon, Apr 1, 2013 3:25 PM EDT



LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao may meet an old foe in a new place in September.
Promoter Bob Arum said he is trying to put together a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez and shopping it to casinos in Macau and Singapore. He said Saturday night at the Brandon Rios-Mike Alvarado fight that the bout would likely be at one of the Venetian hotel-casinos in Macau or Singapore.
''The thing we're waiting on is which one of their hotels they want to do it at,'' Arum said.
Marquez would be the most likely opponent for Pacquiao, though Arum indicated earlier that Timothy Bradley - who won a disputed decision over Pacquiao last year - is another possibility.
Marquez knocked Pacquiao out in the sixth round in December, flattening the Filipino fighter with a right hand that left him face down on the canvas for 2 minutes. It was the first win for Marquez in four fights between the two rivals.
If Pacquiao meets Marquez, it could be held far from the Las Vegas Strip, where they fought all four of their fights. The MGM Grand hotel would ordinarily figure to be the host for the bout, but the hotel reportedly is holding a September date for Floyd Mayweather Jr., assuming he beats Robert Guerrero at the hotel May 4.
Arum is in Macau this week for the fight card Saturday night at the Venetian featuring two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming of China in his pro debut.

Commentary: Arum is definitely looking for money in the Chinese market where the American money is abundant. :yes:

[Fibroso]

A Pacquiao-hungry, somewhat boxing-naive Asian market cares little about proper match-ups or true challenges. They just want Manny. Pacquiao and his team will have the flexibility to fight whomever they want, whenever they want, and under whatever conditions they like. Pacquiao will be a fully independent entity, free of obligations to networks or state commissions. The opponents could be as hand-picked as his team wants and Manny will still be able to sell his performances to a star-struck Asian market. The end result would be more fights, easier fights, and much more money over the long haul.
They just don't want to see anyone kick his butt publicly just his wife. jeje

[Fibroso]

Is Manny Pacquiao Done with America? the Real Reason Pacquiao May Prefer AsiaBy Paul Magno | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Wed, Apr 3, 2013 6:00 AM EDT



COMMENTARY | When Manny Pacquiao was left face-first on the canvas by a monstrous Juan Manuel Marquez right hand last December, who would've thought that it might've been the Filipino icon's last ring appearance in the United States?
But according to promoter Bob Arum and several Team Pacquiao insiders, it could very well be the case that the eight-division world champ has seen his last round of action on American territory.
Allegedly at the fighter's own insistence, the idea is to take Manny's services and peddle them elsewhere. The hugely popular fighter has been courted by Asian money men for quite some time, but given his recent losses, the need to rebuild, and the pull of keeping Pacquiao closer to home, the idea has only recently become a viable option.
Supposedly at the center of Pacquiao's decision to abandon the American market is a boost in federal taxes that could eat up as much as 39.6% of his earnings should he fight in his usual preferred venue of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
And while the fighter has rightfully balked at the tax rate, the emergence of powerful Asian gambling establishments, especially China's offshore resort of Macau, has made the move a no-brainer for him.
"Manny can go back to Las Vegas and make $25 million, but how much of it will he end up with - $15 million?" Arum recently told Yahoo Sports . "If he goes to Macau, perhaps his purse will only be $20 million, but he will get to keep it all, so he will be better off."

The move, though, could destroy his pay-per-view presence in the United States. Arum, himself, estimates that overseas Pacquiao events could result in a 50% decline in buy rate in the American market. The loss would be felt by the cable companies, HBO Sports, and by Arum's promotional firm, Top Rank.
But none of that may mean a thing to Pacquiao, who calls the shots when it comes to his career-unless conveniently passing the buck to his promoter and manager when asked about facing an opponent, apparently, not to his liking.
In any case, Asian gambling resorts are overflowing with cash these days and actually out-earning their American counterparts by a significant amount. Pacquiao can easily take the hit of losing half of his American money, if the Asian money is already there and waiting.
But there's a more cynical theory regarding Pacquiao's decision to leave the U.S. behind and never look back.
A Pacquiao-hungry, somewhat boxing-naive Asian market cares little about proper match-ups or true challenges. They just want Manny. Pacquiao and his team will have the flexibility to fight whomever they want, whenever they want, and under whatever conditions they like. Pacquiao will be a fully independent entity, free of obligations to networks or state commissions. The opponents could be as hand-picked as his team wants and Manny will still be able to sell his performances to a star-struck Asian market. The end result would be more fights, easier fights, and much more money over the long haul.
Just as many European champs prefer to stay close to home, beating up journeymen in front of packed arenas full of naïve, adoring fans, Team Pacquiao could very well be eying the same cozy situation. As a matter of fact, Pacquiao manager Michael Koncz may have touched on the subject during a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports.
"We feel the real growth potential for Manny and his brand and fan base and all that is going to be in Asia," Koncz said (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing--pacquiao-prefers-to-fight-marquez-in-china-because-of-high-u-s--taxes-003802872.html). "He is so popular in the States, there is not much more we can do there."
Back in the United States, Pacquiao is looking at no more than three fights left in his grueling, Hall of Fame career. In Asia, under his own terms, he could fight indefinitely.
Hardcore fans may bristle at the idea of Pacquiao, one of this generation's very best, finishing out his career in what will essentially be a series of highly paid exhibitions. But, from a business perspective, it all makes sense. After all, boxing is first and foremost a business.
*******************


Source: Yahoo! Sports

[Open Sky]

Who the hell wants to see Pacquiao fight Marquez again?? These parasite promoters like Arum have ruined the sport that I once loved.

[Gamer]

I wonder how this ppv would work out of Macao because of the time difference. Tonights Hbo fights are from there and already happened.They are showing them at this moment on hbo 302 and they are not even live. Who is going to pay a ppv to watch live that early.

[rudee]

Good point Gamer... doubt that will ever happen.. the American market is the biggest, thats
why all the big fights are here.
Manny will end up back in Vegas. The mighty dollar calls the shots.
If he doesn't like to pay taxes, he should move to Monte Carlo... thats the mailing
address to all the super rich athletes... NO TAXES!

[KIDWCKED]

Macao or singapore has been mentioned...Tha casinos there make more money than Vegas in one day then Vegas could make in a week...From what i have heard the ppv would be time slotted appropriately for regular viewing here...

[Fibroso]

Guess what, the china kid won by unanimous decision. Arum smiled and Roach has a new winner. jejeje What a lousy show.

[rudee]

Thanks Fib...In a way its good for China to get into the boxing game.. The more the merrier.
I was really pulling for the Peruvian kid last night. Peru needs some good news and a hero.
But after the first 3 rounds I could see he couldn't hurt the Russian and he would be
in trouble in the later rounds... he was.
Kid,,, wouldn't they have to fight at 2 or 3 in the morning in Macao for the fight to be in
prime time here in the USA? I know its been done before.
The Manny situation is going to be interesting... the latest I heard over here is that Marquez
does not want to fight Manny again. Here or anywhere.

[KIDWCKED]

Thanks Fib...In a way its good for China to get into the boxing game.. The more the merrier.
I was really pulling for the Peruvian kid last night. Peru needs some good news and a hero.
But after the first 3 rounds I could see he couldn't hurt the Russian and he would be
in trouble in the later rounds... he was.
Kid,,, wouldn't they have to fight at 2 or 3 in the morning in Macao for the fight to be in
prime time here in the USA? I know its been done before.
The Manny situation is going to be interesting... the latest I heard over here is that Marquez
does not want to fight Manny again. Here or anywhere.

Thats exactly what they will do...2 or 3am...According to arum...Prolly work well in those locations...;)

[Fibroso]

Thanks Fib...In a way its good for China to get into the boxing game.. The more the merrier.
I was really pulling for the Peruvian kid last night. Peru needs some good news and a hero.
But after the first 3 rounds I could see he couldn't hurt the Russian and he would be
in trouble in the later rounds... he was.
Kid,,, wouldn't they have to fight at 2 or 3 in the morning in Macao for the fight to be in
prime time here in the USA? I know its been done before.
The Manny situation is going to be interesting... the latest I heard over here is that Marquez
does not want to fight Manny again. Here or anywhere.

Chinese are into kung fu not boxing.They have the money though. They are active in the low weight class, you saw my post about Viloria. They don't have much attraction anywhere. That's why Arum inflated Pacquiao into a welterweight to make money.
Marquez done his job, he put Manny to sleep and ended a worship. Retirement is a must so he can go down in history as so. The great "Aztec Warrior".

[rudee]

Agreed, Marquez, Olivares, Chavez Sr, Sanchez and Lopez are my top 5 Mexican boxers of all time.
(not in that order of course) All great Aztec warriors!
Just watching your avatar made me get up and go have a cold Bud!

Hey gang,,, off subject BUT,,, don't forget the Lakers vs Clippers at 3:30 Eastern... 12:30 Pacific