Big Dome gets Khan’s nod

Los Angeles lawyer Nick Khan, a partner in Manny Pacquiao’s US management team with Shelly Finkel and Keith Davidson, gave his thumbs-up to the Araneta Coliseum as a first-class venue during a recent visit here.

"It reminds me of Madison Square Garden in New York City," said Khan who left here Thursday night after a two-day trip that was described by Pacquiao associate Eric Pineda as a sightseeing expedition.

"I’m impressed," continued Khan. "With the news about an attempted coup in the Philippines, HBO got a little skiddish so I decided to check things out myself. Now, I can tell them everything is normal. I love the Philippines. The Filipinos are wonderful people. I’ll have a lot of good things to say to HBO."

Khan arrived with Pacquiao’s Los Angeles-based assistant Joe Ramos who will stay here to coordinate the staging of his next fight against Oscar Larios of Mexico at the Big Dome, tentatively on July 2.

Khan took pictures and videos of Manila scenes to show to HBO officials who were quoted by TV commentator Larry Merchant as having "second thoughts" in supporting the Pacquiao-Larios bout during the recent coverage of the Sugar Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas encounter in Las Vegas.

Khan also had exploratory talks with prospective sponsors and producers in Manila. He conferred with Pacquiao on plans for the future, including the rubber match against Erik Morales, tentatively on Sept. 16, and a possible March appointment with Marco Antonio Barrera next year.

Ramos said word from the Larios camp has it that the former World Boxing Council superbantamweight champion is excited to take on Pacquiao in Manila. He said Richard Schaeffer of Golden Boy Promotions is just as excited.

Firming up the date of the fight is the next big step. While July 2 is a top choice in the calendar, June 18 and 25 are under consideration, too.

ABS-CBN acquired the global TV rights for the fight and is looking for a pay-per-view tie-up that will mean staging the match in Manila in the morning to be aired live on prime night time in the US.

A source said ABS-CBN put up a "substantial" amount for the TV rights. Pacquiao will use the sum to finance a six-fight card. Included in the amount is Pacquiao’s purse which is reportedly $1 Million. The show will be promoted by Pacquiao himself.

The card will be headlined by the Pacquiao-Larios 10-round main event. There will be another 10-rounder, two eight-rounders and two four-rounders. Among the fighters who may be drafted to see action are Jimrex Jaca and Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista.

ABS-CBN will air the fights on local TV and its world-wide The Filipino Channel (TFC) network. A source said a US pay-per-view deal will be negotiated.

Ramos said locking in a date is a priority because the boxing calendar is filling up.

"There’s Castillo versus Corrales on June 3, Tarver versus Hopkins on June 10, and Taylor versus Wright on June 17 so there aren’t too many big open dates left," said Ramos.

As for the Morales rubber match, Ramos said Sept. 16 is not set in stone. "It all depends on how Oscar de la Hoya fares against (Ricardo) Mayorga on May 6," said Ramos. "If de la Hoya wins, he might take over the Sept. 16 slot because that’s Mexican Independence Day. We’ll also assess if Manny will be ready for Sept. 16 after his fight against Larios."

Ramos said putting up an attractive undercard to support the Pacquiao-Larios main event will be no problem. Cebu manager and promoter Rex (Wakee) Salud will assist Pacquiao in assembling a strong undercard.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee and their two sons leave today for a Disneyland tour in Hong Kong. They will be accompanied by several friends in the four-day vacation.

Pacquiao was under the weather last Saturday and postponed a commercial shoot for McDonald’s at Alabang. He ran a 38.6 degree temperature and rested in his Bellevue suite in Alabang. Visitors, including movie producer Mommy Rose Flaminiano, poured in to wish the fighter well. The McDonald’s shoot was set to push through yesterday.

Pacquiao said he couldn’t recall the last time he felt sick. He had the shivers and stayed in bed, watching TV and relaxing.

Last week, Pacquiao concluded the ABS-CBN deal at the Century Park Sheraton, attended a San Miguel Corp. sales convention at the Crowne Plaza Galleria where he sang two songs "Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban Na ‘To" and "Bilog Ang Mundo," finished a commercial shoot at the Traders Royal Hotel, had discussions with Khan at the Manila Diamond Hotel where he now regularly stays, met with the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission media corps and was feted by an Emirates oil company which presented him with a Rolex watch. He flew to Manila from General Santos City last Tuesday.

"Hectic ang schedule ni Manny kaya good break itong bakasyon sa Hong Kong," said Pacquiao’s consultant Jayke Joson.

Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for the US next week to be at ringside for the James Toney-Hasim Rahman fight in Atlantic City on March 18. He was invited to watch the World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight by his trainer Freddie Roach who will work Toney’s corner.