Manny Pacquiao and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum are close in getting a deal done for a two-fight package for 2018, the Top Rank big boss said yesterday.
“We are very close (in getting a deal in place),” Arum told the Bulletin yesterday.
If both parties agree, Pacquiao will resurface in April and return to the ring again in November or December ‘depending on his Senate schedule’,” said Arum.
The exact date of the fight, venue and choice of opponent are still under wraps as Arum promised that he won’t reveal everything until everyone gets on board.
Canadian Mike Koncz and Pacquiao are working closely to get things done, said the 86-year-old Arum.
There have been reports that Pacquiao is working to get the superbly-skilled Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine while the name of former world champion Mike Alvarado of Denver has also been floated.
The Mexican media also went abuzz when Zanfer Promotions said that it will try to convince Arum to lend Pacquiao so they can showcase him at the 22,000-capacity Mexico City Arena.
But Arum swears it doesn’t look like Pacquiao will go there to strut his stuff.
“That’s not gonna happen,” said Arum, adding that Pacquiao’s comeback fight this April will be “unique.”
Pacquiao, who turned 39 last month, lost on a stunning decision to Jeff Horn last July in Brisbane, Australia.
If Pacquiao emerges victorious, it is very likely that Arum will stage a megabuck matchup against the winner of another marquee clash involving Horn and Terence Crawford.
Based on the details being released, it is possible that Pacquiao might end up sharing the spotlight with Crawford and Horn in April as a prelude to a bigger bout down towards the end of the year.