Pacquiao to consider options for next opponent

Bob Arum and Freddie Roach will board a plane today and fly to the Philippines. By Friday, when Manny Pacquiao celebrates turning 32 years old, he probably will have decided on his next opponent.

Arum, the chairman of Top Rank and Pacquiao's promoter, has secured the MGM Grand Garden for April 16 for Pacquiao. Arum also will bring with him to Manila three term sheets -- one each from Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez. The sheets will have each boxer's financial demands and other requirements.

"We'll present Manny with the information and, ultimately, it's Manny's decision who he fights," Arum said. "We've talked to the other fighters and their promoters, so we know exactly where we stand."

Many think Mosley is the front-runner to face Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts). Mosley was in Las Vegas last month with manager James Prince to meet with Top Rank president Todd duBoef and was at Pacquiao's fight in Arlington, Texas, when he destroyed Antonio Margarito.

Mosley claims he is no longer tied to Golden Boy Promotions, of which he has been a limited business partner. Arum's attorneys are making sure that is the case before proceeding because they don't want any additional litigation with Golden Boy.

Roach, Pacquiao's longtime trainer, said he has no preference who Pacquiao fights. But he said if Pacquiao faces Mosley, it may not be the walkover many think it would be.

"Everyone's downplaying Mosley, but he's a dangerous guy," Roach said. "What if the Mosley who beat Margarito shows up? He's a tough fighter."

Roach said Pacquiao intends to fight as a welterweight, which means a third fight with Marquez would require Marquez to come up from 135 pounds, where he fought last month in beating Michael Katsidis.

Berto, a natural welterweight, remains a viable option, though he might not have the experience and name recognition of Mosley or Marquez.

"Whoever he fights, I'll have Manny ready," Roach said.

■ HAYE IN, CHISORA OUT? -- The last major heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas was more than four years ago, when Oleg Maskaev knocked out Hasim Rahman in the 12th round of their Aug. 8, 2006, WBC fight at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Could another heavyweight showdown be coming to town?

When Wladimir Klitschko tore an abdominal muscle Wednesday during a workout, forcing a cancellation of his IBF-WBO heavyweight title defense Saturday against Dereck Chisora in Germany, it might have opened the door for a Klitschko showdown with WBA champ David Haye.

Golden Boy chief executive officer Richard Schaefer met with Haye's management Saturday and is looking to match Haye and Klitschko, perhaps in Las Vegas.

"It's a place to consider," Schaefer said. "A heavyweight championship at that level is a global event, and you have to look at the global pot, and the most money to be made is in the United States.

"If you have the fight in Las Vegas, either the fans have to travel from Europe or stay home and buy the pay per view. You have to look at the economics, and while David would probably prefer to fight at home at Wembley Stadium, he could make a lot more money if he fought Wladimir in Las Vegas."

■ DONAIRE-MONTIEL -- Fernando Montiel will defend his WBC and WBO bantamweight titles against Nonito Donaire on Feb. 19 at Mandalay Bay. The Top Rank card, which will be televised by HBO, also will feature a rematch of the Nov. 13 welterweight fight between Jesus Soto-Karass and Mike Jones. Jones won by majority decision.

On Feb. 26, Top Rank will host a card at the Palms with lightweight Brandon Rios in the main event. Showtime will televise the card.

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