Pacquiao vs Marquez IV: Manny Pacquiao delays US arrival, Arum unhappy

Manny Pacquiao said he would be doing his entire training camp in Los Angeles with trainer Freddie Roach as he prepares for a December 8 fight with rival Juan Manuel Marquez, but now word out of the Pacquiao camp is that Manny has decided to delay his arrival until October 27.

Ronnie Nathanielsz says that promoter Bob Arum "appeared peeved" by the news, and that adviser Michael Koncz would be flying to the Philippines on Monday, most likely, to try and persuade Pacquiao to arrive in the States no later than October 20.

Arum and Top Rank, of course, have promotional things to deal with that would require the presence of Pacquiao. Here's what he said about the situation:

"Manny has to decide whether he is a boxer or he's a politician. I would like for the next two months for him to be a boxer and then the politics will take care of itself when he finishes the fight with Marquez. But that's up to him."

While I love the idea that "the politics will take care of itself," there's no getting around the fact that this sounds like the same old Manny Pacquiao as always, despite the promises to do this and that and have a better, more focused camp. Manny is a 33-year-old celebrity, politician, and professional athlete -- if he feels like not coming to California until October 27, then he won't, and there's not a lot anyone can do about it.

Full Coverage Hub: Pacquiao-Marquez IV