By Nick Giongco of FightNews
Barring a last-minute change in schedule, Manny Pacquiao will fly to Los Angeles on Sunday night in time for a meeting with Top Rank big boss Bob Arum on Monday in an effort to discuss–or even finalize–the planned Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao will also take the opportunity to be with his loved ones–wife Jinkee and kids–on the way back to Manila. Jinkee and the Pacquiao kids have been in the US the last two weeks.
While in the US, Pacquiao and Arum will finally get to delve into the delicate matters concerning the proposed catch weight and revenue split with Cotto. Cotto has been saying that he cannot go lower than 145 lbs, while Pacquiao insists Cotto has to get down to 143 lbs for him to land a lucrative Pacquiao payday.
Pacquiao will be joined by advisers Mike Koncz and lawyer Franklin Gacal, who doesn’t mind Pacquiao agreeing to meet Cotto at 145 lbs as long as there’s “a premium” involved.
Last Friday, Shane Mosley resurfaced and challenged Pacquiao to a fight, declaring that he is willing to get down to as low as 140 lbs so Pacquiao and Arum can stop running away from him.
Koncz said the issue is not about the weight but the money to be generated, stressing that Mosley is not an attractive foe for Pacquiao money-wise.
Arum has been away the last three weeks and is expected to arrive in Los Angeles from his European vacation on Sunday night.