Bob Arum Revives Manny Pacquiao vs Rolly Romero

Bob Arum has poured ice water over experiences linking Teofimo Lopez to Rolando “Rolly” Romero, handing Manny Pacquiao a contemporary opening to revive the WBA welterweight title alternative he has lengthy focused.

Rumors had gathered tempo that Lopez may problem Romero following the WBA champion’s victory over Ryan Garcia. Nonetheless, Arum dismissed the chance throughout an interview with Combat Hub TV within the build-up to Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis.

“You understand, I don’t know Teofimo till he actually settles down. You’re simply losing your time.

“I feel that might be a great battle, yeah, Teofimo-Romero. However once more, they’ll come to us after they’re prepared for the battle to actually occur. That hasn’t occurred but.”

Requested why discussions had did not progress, Arum added: “Hey, Teofimo’s a wierd form of man. I like him very a lot. I like the daddy. However, , it’s laborious for me to significantly touch upon anyone who’s unusual.”

Manny Pacquiao vs Rolly Romero

Arum’s feedback have firmly put Pacquiao again within the image ought to the eight-division champion wish to revive talks with Romero and decide up the place they left off earlier than Floyd Mayweather dangled the carrot of a rematch.

For months, World Boxing Information has reported that Romero remained Pacquiao’s most well-liked route again to a world title. Sean Gibbons repeatedly made that place clear in conversations with WBN, insisting the objective by no means modified regardless of different names being linked to the Filipino legend.

“Manny is Rolly for the WBA title,” Gibbons beforehand advised World Boxing Information earlier than later reinforcing the stance with the message: “The objective stays the identical. Viva Rolly for the WBA!”

Negotiations have been understood to have reached a sophisticated stage earlier than the plug was pulled. A compulsory obligation, contemporary hypothesis over Lopez and renewed speak of a Mayweather rematch all pushed Pacquiao-Romero additional into the background.

Arum’s feedback have successfully swept the Lopez speak to 1 facet.

With the High Rank founder dismissing that route, Romero’s greatest accessible battle as soon as once more seems to contain the eight-weight world champion.

Pacquiao has made no secret of his ambition to depart the game as a world champion. Romero has already proven he’s keen to face boxing’s greatest names.

Whether or not Pacquiao and Romero return to the negotiating desk stays to be seen. After Arum’s intervention, although, the largest impediment not seems to be Teofimo Lopez.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero now seems to be potential once more. Nonetheless, if Workforce Pacquiao needs to revive the battle, it might have to maneuver rapidly after Teofimo Lopez revealed on DAZN that he had verbally agreed to face the WBA welterweight champion.

Concerning the Writer

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Learn full bio.