Pacquiao weighs up rematch with Marquez in Macau
Fighter and adviser say new venue for Marquez bout offers huge tax advantages but promoter points to big losses on pay-per-view sales
Philippine superstar Manny Pacquiao is considering taking his next fight to Macau in September, in a move that could pave the way for more big fights in the gambling city.
Pacquiao's chief adviser, Michael Koncz, said the Filipino wants a fifth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez away from Las Vegas, "because of high US taxes" that would be incurred if the bout were staged in the American gambling capital, according to Yahoo Sports. Promoter Bob Arum is arranging a fifth match between Pacquiao and Marquez potentially on September 14, with Arum preferring the bout to be staged at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
However, reports suggest 34-year-old Pacquiao is baulking at another Las Vegas excursion, to avoid the 39.6 per cent tax rate he would face if he were to fight again in the US.
It is already confirmed that Arum will travel to Macau in April, to promote the professional boxing debut of China's two-time Olympic gold medallist, Zou Shiming. Zou, China's most successful boxer, has signed with the legendary promoter and will make his professional debut on April 6 at the Cotai Arena in Macau.
Arum would probably take the opportunity to test Macau's waters before deciding whether the city is feasible for a Pacquiao rematch with Marquez.
Local boxing promoter John Hui Kin-yip thinks bringing Pacquiao to Macau would be a "good move". "I think it is a great opportunity for one of the big promoters to finally make the step into Macau," Hui said.