Arum to bare Pacman-Marquez 4?

MANILA, Philippines -  Top Rank chief Bob Arum is set to announce Manny Pacquiao’s next fight on Tuesday next week, reports said.

In a report by boxingscene.com’s Rick Reeno, Arum confirmed Dec. 8 as the date of Pacquiao’s ring return. The report said it will be against either Juan Manuel Marquez or WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.

“Yes he will fight on Dec. 8. Right now, we are finalizing the opponent and with Manny. By the end of the week, we’ll definitely have the deal done,” Arum told Reeno.

The Hall of Fame promoter added that he is set to announce the fight on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

There were also reports that the announcement could be made as early as today.

A separate report by USA Today, however, said a fourth fight between Pacquiao and bitter rival Marquez is almost a done deal.

“We are getting very close to concluding the deal,” Arum said in the report by Jon Saraceno.

The USA Today story likewise added that a press conference to announce the fight is already set for next week.

The latest development puts another twist to Pacquiao’s next fight. The Filipino boxing icon has gone on record that he is not rushing to make an announcement on his next bout, even saying that he’s already contemplating retirement.

Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee has urged her husband not to rush things up, and if ever, go for one big fight then call it quits.

That big fight could be against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in early 2013.

Apparently, Arum has other plans.