Arum bares plan to launch Pacquiao as world celebrity

Whether or not it’s Marco Antonio Barrera on April 28, it’s almost certain that Manny Pacquiao, under Top Rank Promotions, will be very, very busy this year – on and off the ring.

According to Bob Arum, owner of Top Rank which recently signed Pacquiao to a lucrative four-year contract, making Pacquiao a world-wide celebrity, if he still isn’t one right now, is part of the plan.

"We promise the Filipino people what we’re going to do for Manny is something special He’s a superstar in the Philippines and he’s a superstar in America. Our goal is to make Manny Pacquiao a world-wide superstar," said Arum.

"He has a great personality in and out of the ring. We will make him a worldwide figure," added Arum, who plans to put Pacquiao to three or four fights a year in places like China and Dubai aside from the US.

Arum has dangled a $2.5 million purse for Barrera, under Golden Boy Promotions, to stake his WBC super-featherweight title against Pacquiao in Las Vegas on April 28.

Golden Boy, however, has refused to take the bait since owner Oscar dela Hoya believes that that seven-fight contract he signed with Pacquiao last September is air-tight and valid.

Therefore, it should be Golden Boy, and not Top Rank, promoting future Pacquiao fights. The tug-of-war between the sport’s biggest promoters had already gone to court as expected.

Golden Boy has made its own offer for Pacquiao to face Barrera on March 17 and has dangled a $5 million purse. Arum said Pacquiao will make as much money against Barrera or someone else in April.

"We’ve already made arrangements for that fight. We already have a list of some very good opponents and Manny only has to choose. He will make as much money in Macau as to fighting Barrera in Vegas.

"Macau is our target place because what’s happening in China is absolutely fantastic and we want to take advantage of the economic possibility in Macau and in mainland China.

"I want him to hold fights in China, in Macau or in Dubai. I’m gonna show him the world. What I will do is to make him a world figure. It will be a good relationship. We will make a lot of fun and a lot of money," Arum added.

Arum said he will promote Pacquiao, not just the fighter, but the person as well.

"You see, Manny can sing. He may not be Frank Sinatra but he can sing. He’s a good performer. We’re gonna try our damn best to get him on the Jay Leno Show, on Dave Letterman and show the public what kind of person he is."

These are just among Arum’s plans for Pacquiao.

"No matter how much he makes, if I don’t accomplish that then I’ve failed. At this stage of my career I don’t want to fail," Arum added.