Photo by Esther Lin
Bob Arum Talks Crawford vs. Pacquiao
In a recent video ESNews caught up with Top Rank CEO, Bob Arum, and asked what’s to be expected of Manny Pacquiao. First things first, the shoulder has to heal up well, but Arum doesn’t rule out a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
“With the amount of money that was made from the first fight, the rematch won’t do as well but it’d still do terrific. If the Mayweather people want the rematch, we’d be willing to do it.”
Arum also goes on to say that Pacquiao has two, maybe three fights left in his career. And we will see him return to the ring against an elite fighter. Arum shrugged off the thought of a [Marcos] Maidana fight, and that’s when he mentions, “I would rather him fight Terence Crawford.”
Crawford just recently won his second world title against Thomas Dulorme at light welterweight. Styles make fights, and Crawford continues to impress the world with his style, and I think this would make for one hell of a fight.
Bob Arum Wants to Take Over the World
Edit by Lorin Elise
Bob Arum has already broadcasted fights from Macau, China, now he wants to take Top Rank to Dubai. Arum told ESPN’s Dan Rafael that he plans for a mega championship card to be set in Dubai this November.
If Nicholas Walters has his hand raised after Saturday night, Arum wants to line up a featherweight unification bout with Vasyl Lomachenko. He’d also like to match up the winner of Jessie Vargas vs. Timothy Bradley against Sadam Ali.
The third championship bout Arum hopes to put together is the winner of Arthur Abraham vs. Robert Stieglitz against contender Gilberto Ramirez.
If this card were to happen, fight fans can expect to see it live on HBO mid afternoon. No date has been mentioned yet.
Mike Reed makes boxing picks during recent interview
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Top Rank prospect Mike Reed (14-0, 8 KOs) faces Luis Gonzalez this Saturday night in New York. During a phone interview this week, we talked boxing and he picked his winners for some upcoming fights.
Felix Verdejo vs. Ivan Najera – Verdejo
“Felix has power in both hands. He takes some shots, but he gives out just as much. I think his style of fighting is tailor made for [Ivan] Najera, but I gotta go with Verdejo.”
Miguel Cotto vs. Saul Alvarez – Canelo
“Even though [Miguel] Cotto and [Freddie] Roach work amazing together, I think Canelo is just a younger Cotto. For this fight I would say youth beats experience.”
Adrien Broner vs. Shawn Porter – Broner
“Even though my dad and I have different views on this fight, I think [Adrien] Broner will be able to catch [Shawn] Porter and pressure him. My dad sees the fight very similar to Paulie Malignaggi vs. Porter.”
Brandon Rios…Still waiting…
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Brandon Rios hasn’t been biting his tongue on who he wants to fight next. We can often see him on Twitter telling Kell Brook he’ll fly to England, or telling Victor Ortiz that he’ll make him cry like he did when they were kids.
But so far nothing, not even a peep of news has been spoken about what’s coming up for Rios.
When asked about what the problem is for the Brook fight in England, Robert Garcia tells ThaBoxingVoice that they’re having issues with Rios’ Everlast MX gloves. Apparently the London commission has banned the gloves, but Garcia states that’s something that has just suddenly happened.
Rios has not been in the ring since his January victory over Mike Alvarado. The clock is ticking as we’re already in the middle of June. (enter grimace face emoji here.)
