MANILA, Philippines – Talks have reportedly started between the camp of Manny Pacquiao and Top Rank chief Bob Arum regarding the Filipino possibly re-signing with the promotional firm for another two years.
In a report by ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael, Arum himself confirmed that negotiations for a contract extension are ongoing between him and Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz.
"Yes, we are talking about extension. We are working it out. We are talking about a lot of things,†the promoter said.
Pacquiao’s contract with Top Rank – which has promoted the Filipino’s fight since 2005 – is good until the end of the year. If the Filipino icon decides to re-sign, Arum said Pacquiao will fight two times each in 2015 and 2016 under Top Rank, after he sees action again later this year.
“How many fights would be in Macau, how many would be in the United States, how many in other places. But we are talking about five fights," Arum explained.
Pacquiao, who’s coming off a dominant win over Timothy Bradley last April 13, has indicated his desire to fight for two more years. He’s willing to take on anyone, anywhere, whoever Top Rank puts in front of him.
In the same ESPN.com report, Koncz likewise confirmed the ongoing talks with Arum.
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"I have had conversations with Bob about an extension, but nothing has been finalized,†Koncz said. “Do we fight again this year or take some time off and fight next year? There are a lot of things to work on, but the new agreement we are discussing would entail five fights. That's our intention, barring injury."
Although Koncz expressed satisfaction over how Arum has treated Pacquiao through the years, signing with another promoter isn’t out of the question.
"Bob has been good to us over the years and we have been good to him. We may sign with him or we may not,†said Koncz, who has been Pacquiao’s bridge to Arum and is widely credited as the one who delivered the fighting congressman to Top Rank when the company is looking to sign him.
"We have other offers on the table and we will look at all our options and decide what's best for Manny, but I don't want to discuss the particulars because I don't want to offend other people," he added.