MANILA, Philippines – Bob Arum of Top Rank sounded very confident yesterday that Manny Pacquiao?s planned fight against Australian Jeff Horn will take place on July 2.
We?re very close,? Arum said on the phone.
Arum said Pacquiao has in his hands a copy of the fight contract, and is going through every detail with his personal adviser, Mike Koncz.
?We have to get the contract signed. They?re (Pacquiao) reviewing the contract and hopefully it will be signed in the next hours or so,? Arum told The STAR.
Arum is just counting the hours before Pacquiao agrees to fight the 29-year-old Horn, unbeaten as a pro (16-0-1), exactly three months from today.
?It?ll be in Brisbane,? he said.
?On the Australian side everything is done. Jeff Horn has signed the contract,? added Arum, who had originally planned for the fight to happen on April 23.
Arum did not confirm reports that Pacquiao, in the homestretch of a long, illustrious boxing career, is getting paid at least $10 million for his first fight of the year.
?I?m not going to talk about what the amounts are,? said the Top Rank chief.
It?s up to Pacquiao whether or not he wants to divulge how much he?s getting to bring his act to Brisbane and face a hometown boy.
