Arum: Pacquiao must decide now on Jeff Horn fight

It’s like déjà vu all over again. Manny Pacquiao, who was announced by promoter Bob Arum to be taking on Jeff Horn in Australia a few months back, must now make a decision about whether or not he’ll actually go forward with a July fight against Horn in Australia.

Pacquiao initially balked at the Horn fight as he pursued what was said to be a $38M offer to face Amir Khan in the UAE, but once the money never materialized that fight fizzled, leaving Pacquiao to weigh his options on where to go from here. With a Khan fight out of the question for the time being, Bob Arum has since gone on record mentioning Jeff Horn, Adrien Broner, and Terence Crawford as Pacquiao’s next potential opponents.

With regards to the Horn fight, Arum says that he already has a deal on the table for Pacquiao to fight him in Brisbane this July, but Pacquiao must make his mind up immediately as the money offered won’t be on the table indefinately.

“They have to make a decision by Wednesday (Thursday in Manila),” said Arum from Los Angeles yesterday.

Arum hasn’t said how much is being offered for a Pacquiao-Horn fight, but did say that Pacquiao’s next fight is will almost assuredly take place outside of the U.S. considering his purse demands and slumping PPV sales.

“Unless it’s a big fight, we are looking at Manny fighting outside the US,” Arum said.

If Pacquiao doesn’t sign on for the Horn fight in July, Arum will target November for Pacquiao’s return.