Pacquiao won’t fight Crawford next, says Arum

MANILA, Philippines – Amid the clamor for a showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford, the fight isn’t expected to happen soon.

This after Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum said he is planning to have Pacquiao’s next fight airing on free television, leaving Crawford – who would have made it a pay-per-view event – out of the picture.

“It (Pacquiao-Crawford fight) doesn’t make sense,” Arum recently told Mitch Abramson of ringtv.com.

“The only way we can afford a Crawford fight is on pay-per-view and I would like to avoid pay-per-view for Manny’s next fight,” added the veteran promoter.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz earlier said they will demand a guarantee of $20 million to fight Crawford, a dangerous champion being groomed to become Top Rank’s next superstar.

The Filipino icon last fought in Nov. 2015, defeating Jessie Vargas in a fight aired on pay-per-view by Top Rank itself. The event sold over 300,000 units, which Arum considered a success.

Now, Arum is eyeing an April 22 return for Pacquiao, possibly even outside the US where the boxer has been fighting the past few years.

Regardless of the location, Arum believes the fight will sell itself.

“I’m not dealing with an ordinary fighter here who has to squeeze every buck out,” Arum continued, emphasizing Pacquiao’s marketing appeal.

Among the destinations on Arum’s mind are the Middle East and Australia, the latter of which could host a bout between Pacquiao and undefeated prospect Jeff Horn (16-0, with 11 KOs).