Arum claims MGM Mirage putting freeze on Top Rank

Rebuffed in his attempt to bring Manny Pacquiao back to Las Vegas in November, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is accusing MGM Mirage officials of conspiring with rival promoter Golden Boy Promotions to keep his company out.

Arum was looking to use Mandalay Bay Events Center on Nov. 8 when Pacquiao reportedly would defend his recently acquired WBC lightweight title belt against undefeated Edwin Valero. But Arum was told the facility would not be available on that date because it conflicts with two upcoming shows -- the Nov. 22 junior welterweight fight between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi and Oscar De La Hoya's farewell fight Dec. 6 -- both at the MGM Grand Garden.

"That's a disgrace," Arum said. "If they do this, Top Rank will never do another deal with MGM properties again."

Arum claims Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy, threatened to pull the De La Hoya fight from the MGM if it allowed Arum to have his card at Mandalay Bay.

"It's extortion," Arum said. "(Schaefer) is using the De La Hoya fight to keep us out."

Schaefer took umbrage with Arum's remarks.

"Bob has to be very careful making those kinds of accusations," Schaefer said. "He should think before he talks.

"What he's saying is ridiculous. We already agreed that Oscar would fight at the MGM Dec. 6. The deal has been in place for some time. He knows that. We've also had the Nov. 22 date for quite a while. He knows that, too."

Richard Sturm, MGM's president of entertainment and sports, echoed Schaefer's comments.

"It's absurd that he (Arum) is saying that," Sturm said. "We are in difficult economic times right now. We already have two major fights scheduled in 30 days. It doesn't make economic sense to bring in a third fight in that time frame."

Sturm said had a late October date been available, perhaps he and Arum could have worked something out. But the Grand Garden and Mandalay Bay Events Center are booked.

Ironically, Arum is partnering with the MGM for what is expected to be one of boxing's biggest events of 2008, the WBA welterweight title fight between champion Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito on July 26 at the MGM Grand Garden.

"Bob needs to understand that it's nothing personal," Sturm said. "We appreciate the fact Bob has brought Pacquiao to Mandalay Bay several times.

"The timing's just not right to do another big fight in November."

Arum isn't buying it. He contends that Pacquiao's Filipino following is separate from Hatton's large contingent of British fans who will make the trip from the United Kingdom to Las Vegas and it wouldn't detract from Hatton's Nov. 22 fight.

"They're talking about the economy? You would think in these economic times, they'd want this fight," Arum said of MGM Mirage. "It's more business for them. All they're going to do is alienate the Filipino communities that come over from California. I don't understand it."

Arum has a couple of options if he is determined to have Pacquiao fight Valero. He could team with Planet Hollywood and have the fight at the Thomas & Mack Center. Planet Hollywood has developed a relationship with the Thomas & Mack through director Daren Libonati, and Arum and Planet Hollywood are partners on tonight's WBO junior welterweight title fight between Ricardo Torres and Kendall Holt.

But Libonati said Friday a Nov. 8 date at his facility wouldn't work because the Professional Bull Riders finals are that night. The 15th also is booked with UNLV basketball playing host to San Diego.

A late October date is a possibility, but Arum prefers mid-November to give Pacquiao more time to prepare.

"We're aggressively looking for a date that works for Bob and, potentially, Planet Hollywood," Libonati said.

Arum's other option is to take the fight outside of Nevada, either to California or Texas. But he wants the fight in Las Vegas.

"That's the best place for it," he said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.