Pacquiao mulls fight in Manila

Manny Pacquiao has dispatched his Canadian adviser Mike Koncz to Singapore to explore the possibility of a fight there in April. Just before boarding the plane yesteday, Koncz told the Bulletin that he is upbeat about making a deal during his three-day stay in the Lion City but nevertheless revealed that there seems to be a solid backup plan in place. Koncz said he has meetings with bigwigs in Singapore and is keeping his fingers crossed. "I hope to get the job done," said Koncz, stressing that while Top Rank chief Bob Arum is not too keen about an April fight for Pacquiao, "it is not Arum's call but Manny's." Pacquiao is eyeing a comeback fight either on April 13 or 20 and Singapore is seriously being considered as a venue for the Filipino's first fight in 2013 following the knockout defeat at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez late last year.

Manila is Team Pacquiao's Plan B and the group of telecom tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan is being sought to host a fight here. Pangilinan's right-hand man Ricky Vargas confirmed that "exploratory talks" have commenced but to say that negotiations are ongoing is premature. "Talks are in the very early stages. Very early," Vargas said yesterday afternoon. Vargas said he had met with Eric Pineda, one of Pacquiao's advisers, and was assured that they'll get back to him by next week to provide "some numbers." Pangilinan's Smart Communications is a prime sponsor whenever Pacquiao fights in the US. Fighting outside America has become a priority for Pacquiao because of the high tax rates the US government subjects top earners like Pacquiao. Arum said that from 35 percent, it has been raised to almost 40 percent.