Pacquiao to Fight in December, Arum Waiting on Cotto's Terms

Manny Pacquiao will indeed be fighting in December, either on December 1 or December 8, instead of on November 10, and Bob Arum says he's waiting on Miguel Cotto to basically make his bid for the fight before moving forward.

Both Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley have turned in their homework to Mr. Arum, but the rebellious, cigarette-smoking delinquent Cotto, who is trouble but so damn gifted, has not. Last anyone knew, Cotto was going to fight on December 1 at Madison Square Garden, but that could be moved, and with another report that Canelo Alvarez will return on December 8 if he wins on September 15 against Josesito Lopez, we could be looking at Canelo-Cotto on 12/8, which opens up Pacquiao for 12/1.

Keep in mind Top Rank will also be hosting a show on 11/10 at the MGM Grand, which will feature the Vanes Martirosyan vs Erislandy Lara fight, apparently, as part of the undercard.

This development is nothing new, but it does seem firmly firm now that Manny won't be back on 11/10, and instead will be back in December. If that changes again, I'm throwing up my hands.

And I still personally don't expect Miguel Cotto is any serious potential opponent, which might explain why there's no offer from Miguel in yet. Yesterday, it was reported that Pacquiao and Marquez were close to finalizing a deal for a fourth fight. I am guessing that if Top Rank and Manny had their way, Cotto would be the opponent. But Cotto stands his own ground and has other money options out there, too. He has his terms -- he won't fight at 147 again being the biggest -- and if they won't meet them, then the fight won't happen.