Arum and Pacquiao met over dinner Monday (Tuesday, PHL time), along with three other men, one of whom was the Filipino congressman's adviser, Michael Koncz, with Arum outlining the positives and negatives of potential bouts with Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Mayweather. But if Pacquiao was leaning one way or another, he didn't make it known.
"He kept a true poker face," said Arum of the Filipino ring icon. "I explained to him everything that is going on and what we thought, but he didn't give anything away. He just listened and took it all in."
According to the report, Pacquiao made it clear that he wants a fight with Mayweather to finally push through, but Arum said such a bout would be "most unlikely" in the near future, given Mayweather's current jail sentence.
An earlier report had Arum planning two fights with Mayweather, but for 2013.
Pacquiao lost his last bout against Timothy Bradley via a controversial split-decision, so controversial in fact, that a WBO review was later needed, which resulted in a five-man international judge panel naming Pacquiao as the unanimous winner.
The WBO also recommended a rematch between the two fighters, and Pacquiao's contract does contain a rematch clause against Bradley, but Arum, who actually manages both fighters, is hesitant about committing to a second bout between the two, citing perceived low public interest and a need for an investigation into the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In any case, the decision lies on Pacquiao, who's keeping mum for now, and that's not a problem according to Arum.
"Who Manny fights is up to Manny. He's earned that right."
