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Did Bob Arum’s picture show his hand?

If we subscribe to the theory that a picture is worth a thousand words, then the photo of a smiling Top Rank promoter Bob Arum with Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley may have given substance to the notion that a single still image can send a message.

The picture, sent to us by prominent Top Rank photographer Chris Farina, was taken at ringside of the rematch between Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios and Mike Alvarado in which the Colorado native “Mile High” Alvarado avenged his previous 7th round TKO and carved out a well-deserved unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Sunday, Manila Time.

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Indeed that message received a boost when Marquez told boxingscene.com that he would make a final decision on his career and the opponent of his choice ‘In two weeks.”
Marquez spiced it up when he said he would “love to fight Bradley” and pursue his quest for a title in a fifth weight division.

Arum told us in an overseas telephone conversation last March 22, “I’ve got four guys and after the March 30 rematch between Rios and Mike Alvarado they will sit down with me and we’ll figure this thing out.”

He said “Manny might fight Rios if he beats Alvarado or he might fight Bradley in a rematch or Marquez in a fifth fight. I’ve got four attractive fighters and we'll mix and match them.”

Arum himself had indicated that a possible opponent for a planned return to the ring in September by Manny Pacquiao following his stunning 6th round knockout loss to Marquez was Rios who had also expressed interest in taking on the Filipino boxing hero.

With Rios’ loss in another “war” and his desire for a third fight which Alvarado readily accepted provided it would be in his hometown of Colorado and the desire of fight fans to see a trilogy, Arum agreed that a third fight was inevitable but put in the rider that both fighters should face separate opponents before going after each other one more time.

Boxingscene.com quoted Arum who asked “Are these fighters going to fight again?” and provided the answer himself saying “Of course they will but it doesn’t necessarily have to be next. They can fight other guys and then come back and do a third fight.”

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That statement provided a clue which, taken together with the photo of Arum, Marquez and Bradley, gave the impression that among the “other guys” the astute Top Rank promoter was referring to was Pacquiao.

Although Rios lost the rematch, it was a close fight and Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz who was at ringside to watch the fight told Yahoo! Philippines it didn’t put him out of a possible fight against Pacquiao because for one thing “it was a good fight and was close and entertaining” which is what Pacquiao provides whenever he enters the ring.

Asked about whether the loss put Rios out of the picture for September, Koncz made it clear when he told us “I don’t think it does.”

At the same time, Koncz spoke of the realities of wanting to fight such a big name as Pacquiao, pointing out that both fighters (Rios and Alvarado) “will jump at a chance to fight Manny.”

However, Koncz, who indicated he had to finish up some business transactions for Pacquiao and planned to return to the Philippines next week, said he would sit down with Pacquiao and discuss possible options probably after the May elections.

Pacquiao, who is running unopposed for congress in the lone district of Sarangani province, is deeply involved in his wife Jinkee’s campaign for vice governor and brother Rogelio’s attempt to capture the congressional seat in General Santos City which Pacquiao himself failed to do when he first ran.

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Arum informed us last week that he would leave Las Vegas for Macau with Marquez on April 1 for the blockbuster fight card, the first at the plush Venetian headlined by two-time Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming who will make his pro debut in a four-round bout. The card also includes WBO/WBA flyweight champion Brian Viloria defending his title against the aggressive Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada, mandatory challenger Milan Melindo and the promising, undefeated Penalosa brothers Dodie Boy Jr and Dave.

Also on the card to be telecast in the Philippines by ABS-CBN Channel 2 on Sunday morning will be the title defense of WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez against undefeated Diego Magdaleno.

The Macau sojourn will give Arum time to discuss Marquez’ plans although Arum had made it clear some time ago that he was eager to get a fifth fight going between Marquez and his prized possession for years, Pacquiao.

In fact Arum was hoping that Pacquiao could fly to Macau but Koncz has made it clear that unless there is a deal with the Venetian to stage a Pacquiao-Marquez fight, Pacquiao would not go to Macau.

Koncz said, “If Arum closes a deal with Macau then that’s a different story because then we should be there to represent the Venetian and so on” even as he indicated that Pacquiao’s purse would be essentially tied up with the chosen venue.

He said “the most important thing is the venue and the purse goes hand-in-hand with the venue.”

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.