Top Rank chief Bob Arum expressed optimism that the much-talked-about boxing fight between Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya will push through on Dec. 6.

“I am optimistic. That’s all I can say,” the Top Rank chief said yesterday a few hours after arriving in the United States from a vacation in Europe.

“You just have to read between the lines,” said the Hall of Fame promoter.         

Arum said a joint annoucement will be made at 11 a.m. of Thursday (2 a.m. Friday in the Philippines) between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) as regards with the proposed bout that is penciled for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao had earlier turned down an offer by De La Hoya for a 70-30 split on the revenue, demanding that he is entitled to at least 40 percent share of the profit that will be generated by the megabuck match.

Trainer Freddie Roach said he is also keenly awaiting official word since “Manny hasn’t returned my calls.”

“I just want this fight to happen because I have full confidence in Manny that he will beat Oscar,” said Roach from the Wild Card in Hollywood.

Aside from the 29-year-old Filipino star, De La Hoya is also looking at a few other names although they don’t have the box-office appeal of Pacquiao, who will be making a huge jump in weight in the event the De La Hoya bout materializes.

A leading figure in Team Pacquiao revealed that Pacquiao may have already agreed to fight De La Hoya.

“I had a long conversation with Manny last night (Tuesday) and while he didn’t admit that it’s a done deal, I could sense that he had already made a decision to fight De La Hoya,” said Cebu boxing promoter Wakee Salud.