Arum, Hearn battling to promote Pacquiao

By Nick Giongco

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum arrived in General Santos City on a private plane Friday morning to discuss the future with Manny Pac­quiao.

Though Arum had announced a few weeks ago that he was Manila-bound, his arrival came as a sur­prise for Pacquiao, who only got confirmation of the 86-year-old Top Rank chief’s visit Thursday night, according to Pacquiao’s Senate staffer Bren Evangelio, who met Arum at the airport.

Pacquiao is coming off a sensa­tional seventh-round stoppage of Argentine Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur and his smashing showing opened the eyes of Arum and other promoters that the Filipino south­paw remains a top attraction.

Arum has two potential foes for Pacquiao, who is targeting a ring return in early-December: Terence Crawford of the US and Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine.

Aside from Crawford and Lo­machenko, others on Pacquiao’s radar screen include Amir Khan of England, Keith Thurman of the US and American-born Puerto Rican Danny Garcia.

Arum’s arrival is timely since the UK media has reported that British promoter Eddie Hearn is holding talks to sign up Pacqui­ao to a promotional pact after Pacquiao’s contract with Arum’s outfit had already expired.

Hearn, who heads Match­room, told Sporting News that Pacquiao, who turns 40 on Dec. 17, “is a huge name.”

While admitting that Pacqui­ao’s days are numbered, Hearn swoons over the eight-division champion.

“He’s undoubtedly towards the end of his career, but still a huge name. We’re talking with him,” added Hearn.