Arum has been talking about the proposed fight between Pacquiao and Terence Crawford even before the unbeaten Omaha native scored an eight-round TKO win over John Molina last Dec.10 at CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
But early this week Arum said the Pacquiao-Crawford fight won’t happen within the first six months of 2017 which means that there will be no Pacquiao-Crawford fight in April as planned. Instead Arum is tapping Jeff Horn, a relatively unknown challenger from Australia as Pacquiao’s next foe.
Arum had originally calendared Pacquiao’s next fight for June this year but Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz balked because the senate would still be in session by then. Pacquiao is serving his first term as neophyte senator.
“The (Philippine) Senate will take a break starting mid-March and will resume sessions on May 2,” said Koncz, who was by Pacquiao’s side for the duration of his training in Manila for Pacquiao’s last fight against Jessie Vargas which the Philippine senator won via a unanimous decision. Read more.
One of Arum’s concerns when he visits Pacquiao in Manila would be Koncz’s demand for a $20 million fight purse that he want for his boss if he fights Crawford next. The other is the possibility of holding Pacquiao’s next fight outside the US,
“As what I’ve said, Manny will be fighting Crawford if he can guarantee us with a $20 million minimum purse,” Koncz told the Manila Times.. “I cannot mention any names now since there are other candidates that we’ve considered,” he added.
Arum is yet to confirm his arrival date in Manila for his meeting with Pacquiao.
