By Steve Kim

This past weekend, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank flew to the Philippines to meet with Manny Pacquiao to discuss the future.

Pacquiao, who is coming off a dominant stoppage victory over Lucas Matthysse on July 14th, has made it clear that he was now in charge of running his career. The Matthysse fight, which took place in Malaysia, was self-promoted by Pacquiao.

For years the 'Pac Man' was under the guidance of Arum and Top Rank.

Arum told BoxingScene.com that their pow-wow was,''very cordial, very good."

While Pacquiao's company, MP Promotions, ran the show in Malaysia - it was Top Rank that was responsible for the television distribution in the States.

When asked if he foresees working with Pacquiao in the future, Arum stated - "Yes, but you know, again, we now know what he is looking for in the future as far as fights are concerned and it's our job to come up with he fights, the money, the dates, the sites and everything - and at least now we know exactly what he wants - but I'm not going to get into it."

As for any tax issues that might prevent him from fighting in America, Arum says - "that's hard to say, that is not really something that I'm up to. That depends on, again, him and his adviser. It's not something for me to opine on."

One of Arum's high profile clients is WBA lightweight champion, Vasyl Lomachenko.

Would Pacquiao be interested in that potential match-up?

''I think very [much]," answered Arum, who says that for that pairing, ''we'd get a catch-weight.''

But first Lomachenko is scheduled to face the winner of the August 25th bout between WBO 135-pound titlist Ray Beltran and challenger Jose Pedraza.

"On December 1st, assuredly, at the Forum (in Los Angeles),'' said Arum.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.