Pacquiao, who has already filed his Certificate of Candidacy at the Commission of Elections in Manila last Oct. 16, met with Arum in New York early this month after receiving his “2015 Game Changer of the Year award” from Asia Society at the UN Headquarters.
“Manny said to me to at dinner in New York last week that ‘Bob, I’m going to be a senator. I can’t fight any longer as a senator because I can’t be absent (from office) and this fight has to take place no later than April 9, and it will be my last fight,” Arum told USA Today.
Arum clarified that it is Pacquiao and not him who decides on who will the Filipino star fight next.
“When I tell people that the decision (on the opponent) will be Pacquiao’s to make, people won’t believe me. But trust me: every decision as to any opponent has always been Pacquiao.” Arum added.
One of the front runners as Pacquiao’s next opponent is light welterweight titlist Terence Crawford, who is set to face Dierry Jean Saturday night in Omaha, Nebraska.
A win by Crawford over Jean would likely set him up as Pacquiao’s next opponent provided he makes an impressive performance against Haitian-Canadian challenger.
Crawford is coming off a TKO win against Thomas Dulorme last April to win the vacant WBO Light Welterweight title after dispatching Raymundo Beltrán by unanimous decision in November last year.
“It’s going to be a real tough fight,” Crawford said of Jean. “He poses a lot of threats with his speed and punching power, his counter-punching and boxing abilities, but we’re ready for whatever.
Other possible opponents still in contention are Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley in a possible rematch, provided he wins over Brandon Rios next month.
Khan, who has earlier backed out from ongoing talks, has reportedly shown interest again in the possible resumption of negotiations.
Lucas Matthysse and Juan Manuel Marquez who were earlier included in Arum’s list, will no longer be in contention as Pacquiao’s next foes. According to Arum, Marquez isn’t anymore interested in another round with Pacquiao while Matthysse has just lost against Victor Postol.
