Pacquiao-Cotto Nearly Done...

Posted by Salvador Rodriguez on 07.01.2009

...but the Pacman's vacation is delaying negotiations.

It seems that the negotiations for a November fight between Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao are now at a standstill. It's not because issues of the weight or purse, but simply, Manny Pacquiao is not around.

"There's a big problem," said Bob Arun, CEO of Top Rank. "It's not so much the weight, the purses, the percentages either, but the problem is that Manny Pacquiao isn't around to talk about it."

Arum isn't too thrilled that Pacquiao immediately returned to the Philippines after being in New York for the Cotto-Clottey matchup, just as they were about to begin negotiations.

At this time, it appears that the fight could take place at a catchweight of 145 pounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Manny taking a bigger percentage of the purse.

"I can't be negotiating with Manny's representatives here in the U.S. and then wait for him to talk to Manny in the Philippines; it's absurd. I need Manny to be here," added Arum this week.

"I think Manny wants this fight, Cotto wants this fight and the fans want this fight not to mention me. Everyone wants this fight because we'll have the two best fighters on the planet," said Arum.

Bob also mentioned the possibility that Antonio Margarito could become a viable opponent for either Pacquiao or Cotto if he regains his license.