Bob Arum arrives in Philippines to support Pacquiao election bid

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is getting popular support from his favorite promoter Bob Arum who planed in from Las Vegas Thursday morning. Arum took a connecting fight to Sarangani to join Pacquiao in a major political rally.

World's top boxing promoter Bob Arum arrived in the Philippines Thursday morning and immediately took a connecting flight to Sarangani province in southern Philippines where Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is presently campaigning for a congressional seat in the May 10 national election.

Arum clarified he did not come to meddle on the country's electoral process but he came over to support Pacquiao's candidacy.

“My role here is to be supportive. I am not here to talk about (Floyd) Mayweather or any other fights. I did not come here with any fight offers, for Mayweather or anyone else. I don’t want to distract Manny from the election campaign.

“When I get back to the States after the elections here, I will go to work on the Mayweather fight. As a foreigner here, I am restricted and rightly so, from political participation. I am just here in support of Manny’s ambition which is to help his own people," added the former promoter of Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather, among others.

Arum said he did not come talk to Pacquiao about his next fights as it could distract Filipino boxer's political campaign which is now on its final leg. But he obliged to answer some queries about the much publicized Pacquiao -Mayweather match.

“This is the biggest fight of all-time. Mayweather against Pacquiao. And it has to happen. Now, the fight is doable," said Arum from General Santos City, where he will spent the rest of his stay here.

He said the fight the world has been waiting for appears ripe for the picking right now, especially with the way the two fighters disposed their respective opponents in their last outing.

Pacquiao and Mayweather were scheduled to fight last March 13 but negotiations fell through because of Mayweather's insistence that Pacquiao take a mandatory random blood and urine test. Pacquiao refused and said he has passed all drug tests conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Meanwhile Pacquiao said earlier he is leading in the election derby against a popular and powerful political opponent.