Bob Arum to meet with Manny Pacquiao over election's affect on Floyd Mayweather fight date

Photo: Manny Pacquiao, with his wife, Jinky, shows off his the certificate of candidacy for congress that he filed at the provincial capitol in Sarangani, Philippines. Credit: Associated Press

Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, will be making a trip to the Philippines tonight so he can discuss the boxer's participation in a Congressional election in the country and how it will affect a potential fight date against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Arum said this evening that an opponent will run against the world champion boxer in the May 10 election, which will force Pacquiao to campaign extensively in the province of Sarangani in the weeks preceding the election. Mayweather, Arum and several others attempting to negotiate a potential fight would like the bout to occur on May 1. An alternate date of March 13 has been discussed but it's viewed as too early in the year to properly promote a fight of its magnitude.

Arum wants to get a firm handle on how Pacquiao's schedule and training will be impacted by his election campaign. Pacquiao routinely works with trainer Freddie Roach for eight weeks before a bout.