Pacman dedicates upcoming bout to the late John Arum
Seven-division titlist Manny Pacquiao announced today that he will dedicate his upcoming fight against Antonio Margarito to “John Arum and the entire Arum family.”
John Arum, 49, passed away on the weekend while on course to mount a summit in North Cascades National Park in Washington State. Earlier last week, his father Bob Arum, chief of Top Rank promotions, was forced to cut a press tour for the Pacquiao-Margarito bout short after John was reported missing.
Pacquiao consoled the Arum family, saying: “John was an (environmental) lawyer who fought for the people, the same way I fight for the people of the Philippines. Bob Arum is my promoter and my friend. I want to do this for the entire Arum family."
On Thursday, John Arum’s backpack and day pack were found and helicopters with body-heat sensors were sent out to aid in the search. Arum was planning to climb a number of summits in the Washington State area and was considered to be an able climber.
Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s chief advisor, confirmed that Pacquiao “asked me to go to Las Vegas and tell Bob personally, which I did."
Displaying his usual humility, Pacquiao gave no guarantee of victory against Margarito, but said “I will do my best against Margarito. He is bigger and stronger."
The fight, which will take place on November 13 in Dallas, Texas, will be for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title and is expected to draw over 70,000 people.
Margarito is coming off months of probation after being banned by the California State Athletic Commission for attempting to use loaded hand wraps against “Sugar” Shane Mosley in a January 2009 bout. He was recently relicensed by Texas, but the incident remains highly controversial.
Pacquiao is currently in the Philippines training for the bout. He is coming off victories against Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, and Oscar de la Hoya. Pacquiao pulverized the “Golden Boy” De la Hoya, causing the Mexican star to quit between rounds, rocketing Pacquiao to fame.
The Pacquiao-Margarito bout will be available on HBO Pay-Per-View.
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