by Agence France-Presse
Manny Pacquiao on Monday asked his legions of Twitter followers to choose his opponent after announcing his next world title defense will be in the United Arab Emirates.
Pacquiao then posted a poll on his official Twitter feed asking his 108,000 followers to choose either Horn, Terence Crawford, Amir Khan or Kell Brook as his next opponent in the UAE. The poll had received more than 10,000 votes.
Who do you want me to fight next in the UAE?
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 12, 2017
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum had been widely quoted last month in international media as saying that the boxing icon would be getting into the ring with the unbeaten Australian Horn in April and the Queensland tourism minister said they were in negotiations to host the bout.
But Pacquiao mentioned via social media that he would be fighting instead in the Middle East. He also seemed to indicate that his next opponent could also be other boxers – Terence Crawford, Amir Khan or Kell Brook. Reports of a bout between Pacquiao and Horn had begun circulating last month but the Filipino southpaw said contracts had not been signed.
The boxing hero initially said he was retiring to focus on his new role as Philippine senator after winning elections last year on the back of his sporting fame.