NY fight for Pacquiao eyed

LOS ANGELES – Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is luring Manny Pacquiao to New York City and the Top Rank chief is excited to see the Filipino get a big bite of The Big Apple on April 14.

The 86-year-old Arum was extra careful with his words during a chat Friday at the Wild Card Boxing Club but he made no qualms about reserving the Madison Square Garden as venue of his proposed Pacquiao fight.

“We have to get everything finalized with Manny, with his people, with his tax advisers, before we can even make any announcement,” Arum said.

“Do we have an opponent in mind? Yeah, but I can’t discuss it…but if we can do it (finalize with Pacquiao) in time, we have reserved the Madison Square Garden on April the 14th.”

Even fellow Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is a bit at a loss as to Arum’s plans although he was assured by the Harvard-educated lawyer of two things.

“He said we are going to fight in April and in November,” said Roach.

Pacquiao, who turned 39 last December, fought just once last year: a disputed decision defeat to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.

If Pacquiao eventually agrees to Arum’s plans, it will be the first time he will see action in New York as he had almost fought exclusively in Las Vegas.

There have been a few names floating around as Pacquiao foe for April and the guy whose name rings the most is that of former world champion Mike Alvarado of Denver.

Meanwhile, Cebu-born Mercito Gesta challenges defending champion Jorge Linares of Venezuela for the World Boxing Association lightweight crown Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) at the Forum.

During Friday’s weighin, Linares came in at the division limit of 135 lbs. Gesta, now based in San Diego, was a shade under at 134.8.