Jeff Horn?s touted world title rematch with Manny Pacquiao is in danger of collapse after the Filipino legend missed a deadline to commit to the fight.
Duco Promotions executive Dean Lonergan and Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum issued a joint statement yesterday in which they confirmed they may be forced to find an alternative opponent for Horn to meet later this year as mystery surrounds Pacquiao?s commitment to the rematch.
It is understood the Horn camp may have a better idea of what Pacquiao is thinking later today. If the Filipino legend opts not to exercise the rematch option, Horn?s promoters will be forced to consider alternatives.
They could yet ask the question of Conor McGregor, although a fight against the Irishman looks highly improbably given the price tag would be prohibitive and Arum has a toxic relationship with UFC boss Dana White.
?Two weeks ago Manny Pacquiao confirmed to Bob Arum of Top Rank that he wanted to exercise his option to rematch with Jeff Horn for the WBO world welterweight championship ? November 12 was the date,? Lonergan said in a statement.
?Up until late this week that was the outcome Top Rank, Duco Promotions, TEQ (Tourist Events Queensland) and Brisbane marketing were working towards in good faith to achieve having the rematch in Brisbane.
?Late this week Bob Arum saw media reports out of The Philippines that representatives of Manny Pacquiao were trying to get the fight in Manila. Arum gave Manny Pacquiao until Saturday 26 August to confirm that he would recommit to fighting in Brisbane.
?Pacquiao is yet to reconfirm and as such has now put the Horn rematch in jeopardy.?
Earlier yesterday, Arum let slip that the fight was under threat during a press conference to announce an extension of his partnership with ESPN.
Arum conceded the former champion may opt to focus on his duties in The Philippines Senate for the rest of the year before seeking revenge against Horn early next year.
That would leave Horn on the lookout for another opponent as he attempts to cash in on his growing popularity both in Australia and abroad.
McGregor is now the biggest drawcard in combat sports and would give the Australian worldwide attention.
?If he (Pacquiao) decides to postpone it to next year, then we will do a title defence for Jeff this year in November against a top welterweight in Brisbane,? Arum said.
?A lot of it is his senatorial duties and he is not a youngster any more. That was a very physical fight and he may feel he needs more time to get ready for a rematch.
?I will know that in the next couple of days. No matter what happens, Jeff is going to fight in November.?
Asked whether he had had a gut feel on whether Pacquiao would seek a rematch this year or next, Arum said: ?I don?t know. I have been busy with this so I couldn?t pop over to The Philippines. I am getting everything second hand.
?Maybe next week I will get on a plane and go over to Manila.?
Arum acknowledged none of Horn?s likely opponents could match the pulling power of Pacquiao, although McGregor would defy that.
The No 2 contender for the WBO welterweight belt is Argentinian Lucas Martin Matthysse, who has won 38 of his 43 fights. The 34-year-old, nicknamed ?The Machine?, has a formidable knockout record, having won 35 of his fights inside the distance.
England?s Bradley Skeete (27-1-0) is the No 3 contender and carries less of a knockout threat, having stopped less than half of his opponents.
?Horses for courses,? Arum said. ?He will fight a top welterweight. Will we do the same business we do for a Manny Pacquiao fight? Probably not. You adjust prices and maybe do it at a smaller venue.
?If Manny can?t fight until next year, which may be the case, Jeff is a young guy and we have an obligation to him to have him earn money and keep active.
?There are a number of opponents but they are all names. We would talk to the manager Glenn (Rushton), I will clear everything with my partner Dean Lonergan, and we will come up with somebody that is very, very good.
?It won?t be Manny Pacquiao probably but it will be somebody very good.?
