Manny Pacquiao Next Fight Rumors 2015: Bob Arum Dispels News About Pacman vs. Broner Possibility
Top Rank Promotions chief executive officer Bob Arum has put the lid on the possibility of a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Adrien Broner.
Over the past week, Broner himself claimed to have been in talks with Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz about a possible fight. "Pacman" has scheduled his 66th and supposed final fight on April 9th of the coming year, to free himself from boxing obligations and put his focus on being a public servant.
The Sarangani province Congressman will be running for Senator at the May 2016 Philippine elections. While Koncz did get in touch with Broner's team to negotiate a possible deal, Arum, on the other hand, is not a fan of the idea, as he believes that despite Broner's brash-talking persona, it is a fight that will not sell pay-per-views.
Broner (31-2, one no contest, with 23 victories by knockout), last saw action in October against Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev, where he won by twelfth round technical knockout. He is slated to defend his WBA light welterweight title against Mayweather Promotions fighter Ashley Theophane in early 2016.
"Mike is trying to figure out the best thing for Manny and he's not as conversant in the pay-per-view like we are," Arum said in an interview with Boxingscene. "We talk to all the distributors, to HBO, and we figure out who is the best draw."
The said fight, which is slated to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, has three possible opponent candidates so far: Pacquiao's former sparring partner Amir Khan, undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford, and reigning WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
Multiple reports have claimed that the Pacquiao camp is leaning towards a rubber match against Bradley.
According to Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN, the first and only eight-division world champion will be making the announcement about his next fight by the end of the week.
