Arum Says Manny Pacquiao vs Victor Ortiz Now Possible

Following yesterday's formal, public apology from Golden Boy Promotions regarding Manny Pacquiao and past accusations of the Filipino superstar using performance-enhancing drugs, Top Rank chief Bob Arum tells Lem Satterfield that Golden Boy fighters are now back in the discussion to face Pacquiao in the future.

While Pacquiao is already lined up to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12, he'll need opponents in 2012 and options are somewhat limited. This year, Top Rank has had to pick up aged fighters willing to leave Golden Boy for the chance to fight Manny.

One young Golden Boy fighter who has broken through this year in the welterweight division is Victor Ortiz, and Arum mentioned him specifically:

"Well, you know, looking at Manny Pacquiao, Golden Boy has at least one fighter who, down the road, could factor into a fight with Manny Pacquiao, and that's Victor Ortiz. The statement of settlement frees that up and enables that to happen, with all other things being equal."

Pacquiao vs Ortiz would satisfy a lot of complaints about Pacquiao's opponent choices, at least if neither lose a step by then. Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO) shot up to the upper ranks of the welterweight division by beating Andre Berto in April, and at this point is more or less the default No. 2 fighter in the division with Floyd Mayweather Jr inactive. It's the biggest fight that Golden Boy and Top Rank could make together, and it's good to just hear that it's even possible for the future.