Manny Pacquaio may not fight in the U.S. again, according to Bob Arum
Bob Arum, boxing great Manny Pacquaio's promoter, doesn't think the Filipino fighter will fight in the U.S. Again. According to the Los Angeles Times, the culprit is taxes.
"By fighting outside the country, as he’s doing in this Rios fight, Manny doesn’t have to pay U.S. taxes anymore – at a rate of 40% for a foreign athlete," Arum said. "If this pay-per-view and other things take off like we think they may, I can’t imagine Pacquiao will ever again fight in the U.S.”
Pacquiao is fighting Brandon Rios in Macau, China on Nov. 23. The fight will take place in the morning in China so that American consumers can still watch it on Saturday night. A similar arrangement was used during the Beijing Olympics for prime events like gymnastics and swimming.
Chinese consumers will also be able to buy the fight for just $5, adding to the money from pay-per-views in America and elsewhere. Arum said they could generate $10-$20 million in sales for this event.
But not having the most popular boxer in the world not fight in the U.S. again hurts. His last 14 fights were in the U.S., including two bouts in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium.
