Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said that Manny Pacquiao’s next fight "would be outside the United States" either in April or May, according to Josef T. Ramos of the MANILA TIMES. The "veteran" promoter added that the fight between Pacquiao and the unbeaten unified junior welterweight champion Terrence Crawford "would probably happen late this year" in the U.S. Arum said, "There'll be no Pacquiao-Crawford fight in the first six months of the year definitely." Arum explained that he is "eyeing" a competitive fight outside the U.S. because of Pacquiao’s "status as a boxer." Arum: "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 Muhammad Ali fought so many fights outside of the United States." He named WBO No. 2 welterweight Jeff Horn of Australia "as the likely first opponent of Pacquiao this year." Arum said, "Jeff Horn is a good possibility. I will be flying soon to the Philippines once I finalize every detail" (MANILA TIMES, 1/3).
