SINABI ni Top Rank promotion owner Bob Arum na plano niyang ikasa si eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao laban kay WBO No.2 welterweight contender Jeff Horn ng Australia para masiguro ang hiling na US$20 milyon premyo ng Pinoy Senator.
Iginiit ni Arum na mas pananabikan ng boxing fans ang laban kung gagawin ito sa labas ng United States at plano ni Arum ang Australia, gayundin ang mga bansa sa Middle East.
“There’ll be no Pacquiao-Crawford fight in the first to six months of the year definitely,” pahayag ni Arum sa BoxingScene.com.
“Only if the fight will be in the United States but we’re not planning the next fight in the United States so we’re also not planning on Crawford now.”
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“I think Manny Pacquiao is more than just a boxer because he is representing the Philippines. It’s good for him to fight in places around the world same way Muhamad Ali fought so many fights outside of the United States,” pahayag ni Arum.
Binansagang “The Hornet” si Horn ay may perpektong 16-0 marka, tampok ang 11 knockout. Kabilang sa mga natalo niya sina dating IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey ng United States at IBO 147-pound titlist Ali Funeka ng South Africa sa nakalipas na taon.
“Now that the New Year is over I’m going to finalize a location because we’re looking out an opponent depending on the locations like in Australia, England, Middle East or maybe even in Mexico. That’s what I want to do with the last period of Manny’s career," sambit ni Arum.
“I want him to be known as a worldwide fighter. Jeff Horn is a good possibility. I will be flying soon to the Philippines once I finalized every detail.”
Puwede ring isabak kay Pacquiao si WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko ng Ukraine kung aangat ito ng timbang, ayon kay Arum.
“A possible Pacquiao fight against Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko could also happen late next year in the US if ever Lomachenko goes up to the welterweight class. He is presently weighing up at 135 pounds. He’ll be fighting in March,” aniya. (Gilbert Espeña)
