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Pacquiao's 2011 bout moved to May 7


Stressing that an April 16 fight date is too close for comfort, Manny Pacquiao decided to defer his ring return to May 7, with the MGM Grand in Las Vegas still serving as the venue for the 12-round bout. The change of date came after a private talk held by Pacquiao with manager Bob Arum of Top Rank, adviser Michael Koncz and trainer Freddie Roach late Wednesday night at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. Although it was Arum who initially booked the April 16 engagement, the veteran promoter said he has no problem pushing back the Filipino boxing sensation’s first fight for the year 2011 three weeks later. Besides, Arum admitted during a sumptuous dinner featuring Chinese cuisine that the original schedule is not actually conducive as far as pay-per-view is concerned. “There are lots of things taking place around that time," Arum explained. Pacquiao also welcomed the new fight date as he disclosed that Congress, of which he’s a member as the lone representative from the province of Sarangani, is set to take a break by the time he starts training in April. “The timing is perfect because by the time the fight is over, Congress will resume its sessions (on May 10)," added Pacquiao, who was joined in the dinner by his lovely wife Jinkee, Lovee Arum, wife of the Top Rank promoter, and some boxing scribes. But as to which fighter Pacquiao will be facing in the ring, the choice has yet to be settled from among Sugar Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto. Arum hopes a decision will be made before he flies back to Las Vegas on the 19th. The legendary boxing promoter will join trainer Freddie Roach and the close friends and associates of Pacquiao in General Santos City on Thursday to attend the festive 32nd birthday of the greatest Filipino athlete ever. The Top Rank chairman said he already has an idea which fighter Pacquiao is leaning to as his likely opponent, but would rather not speculate on it until the Filipino southpaw finalized his pick. “I know where he’s headed, but it’s not right for me to divulge it yet," said the veteran promoter, who just turned 79 a few days ago. “Until it’s conclusively decided, I’m not going to say anything. “I do have a lot of influence based on logic, but Manny has to determine what's logical," said Arum. “He relies heavily on me, but I'm not going to tell him to fight X when he wants to fight Y." During the same dinner, Roach and Pacquiao also agreed on the manner of their eight-week training. “What about half-and-half?" Roach offered to his boxing ward sitting just across the table, implying that the first part of training camp would be held in Manila, and the latter part in the U.S. at the famed Wild Card gym in Los Angeles. It was the same way they conducted Pacquiao’s training for his fights with Margarito and Miguel Cotto, although the first half of training camp was held in Baguio City. “Okay, coach, half-and-half," Pacquiao quickly replied. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV

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