Manny Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum has said a decision regarding the Filipino boxer’s next fight will be decided this week following the recent announcement of a fight with Amir Khan in the UAE.
On Sunday, Pacquiao and Khan announced on their respective Twitter accounts that both camps have come to terms over a fight on April 23, seemingly ending Pacquiao's initial plans for a bout with Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane.
Indeed, Pacquiao's legal adviser, Michael Koncz, told The National via text message: "I have no statement at this time other than to confirm that yes that is Manny's tweet and we have come to terms to fight Amir Khan. With [Khan] and his team perhaps I will give more in depth statement next week."
Koncz did later add, though, that “Yes, the fight will be held in the UAE”.
Speaking on Snapchat, Khan, 30, said Dubai was one of three options on the table to take on his former training partner, and that the venue would be the confirmed “in the next couple of days”. The two-time world champion added: “The fight is going to be for the WBO title and it’s a fight I know I can win. I know a lot about Manny Pacquiao.”
However, Arum, the founder and CEO of Top Rank, the promotion company tasked with organising Pacquiao’s fights, has said there is still nothing official in terms of his fighter taking on Khan but a meeting is scheduled with Koncz on Tuesday to finalise future plans.
"Well, Mike Koncz is flying in to the United States now and we're going to meet," Arum is quoted as saying by Boxing Scene.
“I don’t know what offer we’re talking about but obviously we’re all collegial, we’re all on the same team and we’ll discuss what is the best move for Manny.”
Meanwhile, Horn’s promoter, Dean Lonergan, will also be talking with Arum this week to discuss options while remaining sceptical of a fight between Pacquiao and Khan in the UAE.
"I think the chances of Pacquiao receiving $38 million (Dh139.6m) to fight Khan in the UAE on April 23 are somewhere between slim and zero," Lonergan told The Courier Mail.
“The situation will become a lot clearer after I talk to Bob Arum on Thursday.
“So far there is still no stadium booked in the UAE and still no word on who is supplying the $38 million. It’s one thing for two fighters to say they’ve reached an agreement but it’s something else entirely to find the money, set up the promotion and all the global television deals that go with it. That takes months of planning.
“If Manny really wants to pursue a fight with Khan in the UAE why doesn’t he give himself a few months to do it and come to Brisbane first for the fight with Jeff Horn? We have a very generous offer on the table with the money already guaranteed.”
* The National staff
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