Pacquiao’s next fight will be outside US – Arum

[Ruthless-RKO]

Top Rank Promotion boss Bob Arum said that Manny Pacquiao’s next fight would be outside the United States ei-ther in April or May.

The veteran promoter added that the fight between Pacman and the unbeaten unified junior welterweight cham-pion Terrence Crawford would probably happen late this year in the US.

“There’ll be no Pacquiao-Crawford fight in the first to six months of the year definitely,” Arum told The Manila Times via overseas call on Tuesday. “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.”

Arum explained that he’s eyeing a competitive fight outside the US because of Pacquiao’s status as a boxer.

“I think Manny Pacquiao is more than just a boxer because he is representing the Philippines,” he said. “It’s good for him to fight in places around the world same way Muhammad Ali fought so many fights outside of the United States.”

The 38-year-old Pacquiao (59-6-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 knockouts) won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt last December 5 in Las Vegas after beating Jessie Vargas via unanimous decision.

“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, Arum said. “I want him to be known as a worldwide fighter.”

He named WBO No. 2 welterweight Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (16-0-1 record with 11 knockouts) of Australia as the likely first opponent of Pacquiao this year.

“Jeff Horn is a good possibility. I will be flying soon to the Philippines once I finalized every detail.”

[Badhusker]

I guess Arum isn't ready to let Pacquiao cash out just yet. Jeff Horn? Come on... Quite a few laughed at Horn as a possible opponent for Errol Spence. No PPV I hope if it is Horn, because it will be much worse than the Vargas or Bradley fights.

I would MUCH rather see him vs Brook, Khan, Spence, Porter, or Crawford. Horn would be a horrible fight. Roach said he only wants Pac to fight the best?

[world ranked]

Que Jeff Horn

[Enlightened-One]

Manny Pacquiao has recently defeated the WBO’s top-rated challenger, Timothy Bradley Jr., and the next in line is Jeff Horn.

If the Filipino wants to retain ownership of his WBO title and this requires him to defend his belt against Jeff Horn, then I have no problem with that, since many champions have to occasionally share the ring with less-known names that are top-rated title challengers.

It’s not the most exciting contest I can think of for Manny Pacquiao, but if he wants to keep hold of his belt then he’ll probably have to face the Aussie (or someone else of his ilk) at some point.

[Mexi-Box]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

[Enlightened-One]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

I’m not being combative, merely curious... when you say that you’d rather see Manny retire right now than “holding the belt hostage”… what do you mean by that?

Manny’s next outing is likely to be against Jeff Horn… and assuming he wins that bout, the Filipino would have beaten the top three ranked WBO welterweight title challengers within the space of the last twelve months.

The WBO’s next highest rated 147lb-er is Errol Spence, Jr., but he’s chosen to go down the IBF route instead.

In terms of “holding the belt hostage”, it’s not as if Manny is copying Billy Joe Sanders’ inactivity antics.

So I’m curious, what do you mean when you accuse Manny of “holding the belt hostage”?

[ElJefe]

Jeff Horn would be an awful fight. Sounds like they want Manny to get one final KO before he finishes.

[Badhusker]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

I’m not being combative, merely curious... when you say that you’d rather see Manny retire right now than “holding the belt hostage”… what do you mean by that?

Manny’s next outing is likely to be against Jeff Horn… and assuming he wins that bout, the Filipino would have beaten the top three ranked WBO welterweight title challengers within the space of the last twelve months.

The WBO’s next highest rated 147lb-er is Errol Spence, Jr., but he’s chosen to go down the IBF route instead.

In terms of “holding the belt hostage”, it’s not as if Manny is copying Billy Joe Sanders’ inactivity antics.

So I’m curious, what do you mean when you accuse Manny of “holding the belt hostage”?

At this point I'm sure Errol Spence would take the WBO title shot. Talk about holding the belt hostage - it is exactly what Brook is doing. Him vs Spence goes to purse bids in late February, but he can at least say what his plans are before then. No way in hell Arum lets Pacquiao fight Spence.
Enlightened One; The "mandatory" scenario as an excuse for Manny vs Horn is laughable. Call it what it is - a crap fight. Worse than Floyd vs Berto. The guy has like 16 or 17 fights, and has yet to even beat someone of gatekeeper status.

[Enlightened-One]

At this point I'm sure Errol Spence would take the WBO title shot.

Perhaps, but the Filipino would probably demand $20m for that fight. And I’m not sure how that would be funded, since the “risk vs. return ratio” means the bout doesn’t make any business sense for Pacquiao or Top Rank. Regardless, Spence Jr. is appears to have gone down the route of the IBF title for a fight against Kell Brook.

Talk about holding the belt hostage - it is exactly what Brook is doing.

This is what I don’t understand. Pacquiao has already fought the two of the top three rated WBO title challengers within the last eight months. If he defeats Horn in his next outing, he’d have beaten all three within the space of twelve months.

In stark contrast, I don’t think Kell Brook has faced any of the top 15 IBF title contenders.

So I’ll ask the question again, how is Manny Pacquiao holding the WBO title hostage? Why do you compare Pacquiao's situation to Kell Brook's?

The "mandatory" scenario as an excuse for Manny vs Horn is laughable.

I never said it was a good fight, but if Manny Pacquiao wants to retain ownership of his WBO belt, he has to face their title challengers.

Manny having to face his WBO title contenders is a fact of life, it’s part and parcel of being a world champion. There’s nothing laughable about this, since all world champions are obliged to defend their titles at some point.

The guy has like 16 or 17 fights, and has yet to even beat someone of gatekeeper status.

Just to repeat myself for the third-time… I’m not excited about the prospect of seeing Pacquiao face Horn, but who else (excluding Spence Jr.) is there in the WBO rankings for him to fight?

I’d rather see Manny fight someone else, other than Horn, but Bob Arum has other plans.

[Badhusker]

I just checked the rankings on both the WBO site and fightnews. They have Horn ranked 2nd, and Spence 4th. Bradley is 1st, and Vargas 3rd. Even Horn's own trainer said he could beat Vargas but not sure of Bradley, who Manny spanked 3 times. He (I believe Justin Fortune) said Horn should fight at least one of those guys in order to earn the right to share the ring with Manny.

Other than Floyd and Bradley, (who we didn't need to see 3 times) Manny's opposition the last few years has been about Horn's level, so it won't surprise me.

[Mexi-Box]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

I’m not being combative, merely curious... when you say that you’d rather see Manny retire right now than “holding the belt hostage”… what do you mean by that?

Manny’s next outing is likely to be against Jeff Horn… and assuming he wins that bout, the Filipino would have beaten the top three ranked WBO welterweight title challengers within the space of the last twelve months.

The WBO’s next highest rated 147lb-er is Errol Spence, Jr., but he’s chosen to go down the IBF route instead.

In terms of “holding the belt hostage”, it’s not as if Manny is copying Billy Joe Sanders’ inactivity antics.

So I’m curious, what do you mean when you accuse Manny of “holding the belt hostage”?

Jeff Horn is not that good. I mean someone said it right. People were laughing at the thought of Horn/Spence. I can't imagine Horn getting in the ring with Pacquiao. I also don't see Pacquiao being put in with anyone tough after he got the belt. I just don't see it, but I would be surprised if he was. As I said, he's all but retired at this point. Reminds me a bit of Sergio Martinez but not as bad.

[jockpunk]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

I’m not being combative, merely curious... when you say that you’d rather see Manny retire right now than “holding the belt hostage”… what do you mean by that?

Manny’s next outing is likely to be against Jeff Horn… and assuming he wins that bout, the Filipino would have beaten the top three ranked WBO welterweight title challengers within the space of the last twelve months.

The WBO’s next highest rated 147lb-er is Errol Spence, Jr., but he’s chosen to go down the IBF route instead.

In terms of “holding the belt hostage”, it’s not as if Manny is copying Billy Joe Sanders’ inactivity antics.

So I’m curious, what do you mean when you accuse Manny of “holding the belt hostage”?

Jeff Horn is not that good. I mean someone said it right. People were laughing at the thought of Horn/Spence. I can't imagine Horn getting in the ring with Pacquiao. I also don't see Pacquiao being put in with anyone tough after he got the belt. I just don't see it, but I would be surprised if he was. As I said, he's all but retired at this point. Reminds me a bit of Sergio Martinez but not as bad.

How is he all but retired? In 2016 he fought 2 guys that most people had ranked in the top ten at 147, one of who most people had in the top 20 p4p. Are there a couple guys I would have rather seen him fight? Of course, but as long as he is fighting top ten guys (real top ten guys not the types that sometimes seem to get high rankings from the sanctioning bodies) them it is not at all fair to call him retired.

[gilgamesh]

Manny fighting Jeff Horn in Australia is fine by me if Crawford later in the year is next. Hell he might even fight another fight in between.

[world ranked]

Manny fighting Jeff Horn in Australia is fine by me if Crawford later in the year is next. Hell he might even fight another fight in between.

There's no point for this fight other to drain every dollar out Pacquaio. He had the Vargas tune up why waste time. Somehow I think TR doesn't want to give Crawford the rub.

[SenorPipino]

Horn sucks and that's why Manny will fight him.

When will the parade of Stander/Daniels type challengers end?

The Filipino turned 38 last month so TR obviously doesn't want to risk a loss until they can cash him out, presumably against Crawford.

Even if Crawford ends up beating Pac decisively, I figure Manny will be propped up for one more career ending fight (and beating), maybe against Canelo at a catch weight in 2018.

[Jip]

stupid descision, vegas, usa is where the money is. arum

[gilgamesh]

Manny fighting Jeff Horn in Australia is fine by me if Crawford later in the year is next. Hell he might even fight another fight in between.

There's no point for this fight other to drain every dollar out Pacquaio. He had the Vargas tune up why waste time. Somehow I think TR doesn't want to give Crawford the rub.

They're definitely draining every dollar out of Pacquiao. Pac's making good money too though.

[Kalan]

It's a cinch he's not fighting Spence, Thurman, or Crawford.. No surprise of course.. Mayweather got dinged for the Berto fight.. Let's rip Pacquiao

[littlepug]

After all he has given to the sport I say let him fight who the hell he wants at this stage of his career

[gilgamesh]

After all he has given to the sport I say let him fight who the hell he wants at this stage of his career

Yeah I'm good with it too. This is like Pac's retirement tour years for me. I don't really care who he fights anymore. I'll be more excited if he gets involved in big matches, but any win over a Top 10 or Top 20 guy at this point is respectable enough for Pac.

[Kalan]

Boxing will never change if fans just accept ducking by the top names... If one favored fighter ducks the top opponents - everybody can do it.

Thurman and Brook deserved Mayweather and Pacquiao fights... while they fought Berto, Algieri, Rios, Bradley, Vargas and other boxers follow their lead

[gilgamesh]

Boxing will never change if fans just accept ducking by the top names... If one favored fighter ducks the top opponents - everybody can do it.

Thurman and Brook deserved Mayweather and Pacquiao fights... while they fought Berto, Algieri, Rios, Bradley, Vargas and other boxers follow their lead

Pacquiao has already faced a who's who of Boxing in his weight ranges. He's on the back end of his career. The Welterweight division isn't revolving around him now like it used to be. Thurman vs Garcia means more than Thurman vs Pac at this point and Thurman vs Garcia is going down.

[Kalan]

Right... and that's the first significant Welterweight fight in a while, and we should have them all the time..but it was a cinch Pac, Floyd, Bradley, Maidana, and Khan were never going to fight Thurman, Brook, Spence, or Porter...

And if fans wonder why they get crappy, non-competitive fights... The reason is protected fighters.

[Enlightened-One]

Boxing will never change if fans just accept ducking by the top names... If one favored fighter ducks the top opponents - everybody can do it.

Thurman and Brook deserved Mayweather and Pacquiao fights... while they fought Berto, Algieri, Rios, Bradley, Vargas and other boxers follow their lead

Fighters are businessmen who make financial decisions based on simple economics, such as supply and demand in the context of "risk vs. return".

For example: Floyd Mayweather Jr. was guaranteed a $32m payday to face the very beatable Andre Berto. The size of Money May's purse would not have been any greater had he fought Keith Thurman instead.

If you were in Mayweather's or Pacquiao's shoes, you'd almost certainly make the very same decisions they do for precisely the same reasons.

In terms of the overly-abused term "ducking", if there was enough public interest to see Pacquiao face Crawford, then the fight would be made, because high-demand would translate to PPV buys.

Alternatively, low-demand prevents expensive high-profile events from being commercially viable, because boxing is a professional sport where all parties that are involved expect to be paid for their services.

Talented but unpopular fighters will never command big paydays or engage in high-profile bouts without the TV networks and promoters marketing their talents effectively, coupled with receiving support from the sports governing bodies to mandate certain world title opportunities.

[Enlightened-One]

Pacquiao is half-retired. He's just in it for the money at this point. I'd rather see him retire right now instead of holding his belt hostage like that. I'm not too fussed about what the hell he's doing at this point.

I’m not being combative, merely curious... when you say that you’d rather see Manny retire right now than “holding the belt hostage”… what do you mean by that?

Manny’s next outing is likely to be against Jeff Horn… and assuming he wins that bout, the Filipino would have beaten the top three ranked WBO welterweight title challengers within the space of the last twelve months.

The WBO’s next highest rated 147lb-er is Errol Spence, Jr., but he’s chosen to go down the IBF route instead.

In terms of “holding the belt hostage”, it’s not as if Manny is copying Billy Joe Sanders’ inactivity antics.

So I’m curious, what do you mean when you accuse Manny of “holding the belt hostage”?

Jeff Horn is not that good. I mean someone said it right. People were laughing at the thought of Horn/Spence. I can't imagine Horn getting in the ring with Pacquiao. I also don't see Pacquiao being put in with anyone tough after he got the belt. I just don't see it, but I would be surprised if he was. As I said, he's all but retired at this point. Reminds me a bit of Sergio Martinez but not as bad.

So let me get this straight… when you accuse Manny Pacquiao of holding the WBO world title “hostage”, you actually mean that don’t like the opposition that Bob Arum is matching him against?

Whilst I can’t disagree with your sentiments about Jeff Horn, I have to say that (technically-speaking) Manny Pacquiao is almost certainly not holding the WBO world title “hostage”.

Assuming the Filipino faces Jeff Horn next, he would have fought the top three ranked WBO contenders within the last twelve months, with two of them being considered decent names. You can’t expect any champion to do any more than that (especially when you consider a particularly lauded fighter like Kell Brook hasn’t faced anyone listed in the IBF rankings).

Apart from Errol Spence Jr. (who seems determined to go down the IBF route), there’s a distinct lack of quality names listed in the WBO’s top 15 rankings.