Manny Pacquiao’s promoter trying to set up new fight with Yuri Foreman

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Manny Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, told The Times early today that he is preparing to open talks with his super-welterweight champion Yuri Foreman in response to faltering negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Arum said he hasn’t heard any response from the Mayweather camp to Arum’s offer for the Nevada State Athletic Commission to preside over drug testing for a tentatively scheduled March 13 mega-fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Contacted while vacationing in Mexico, Arum told The Times, ‘This is only my opinion, but I don’t see the fight happening now. Positions are hardening. I talked to [Pacquiao’s advisor], and Manny’s fit to be tied. He’s very angry.’

Pacquiao has threatened to sue the Mayweather camp because he believes their push to have him submit to blood testing up to fight night implies that he’s using performance-enhancing drugs.

Arum left the window open for a breakthrough in the negotiations, but added, ‘It might be best to visit this fight later in 2010.’

Attempts to reach officials at Golden Boy Promotions, which is handling Mayweather, were unsuccessful.

-- Lance Pugmire