Arum insists no deal yet for Pacquiao fight vs Khan

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s ring adviser, Michael Koncz, is flying to Abu Dhabi tomorrow. In his carry-on baggage are tapes of recent fights of Amir Khan and Terence Crawford.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum told The STAR yesterday that Pacquiao, now in Dubai for an official game in the Philippine Basketball Association tomorrow, will go through the tapes.

“He will review the tapes of Crawford and Amir Khan and then he’ll make a decision on whom he wants to fight,” Arum said from his Las Vegas office.

“Michael Koncz has the tapes of Crawford and Amir. He’s flying to Abu Dhabi on Thursday to meet with Manny Pacquiao who will be in Abu Dhabi on Saturday,” said Arum.

The 83-year-old promoter said no decision has been made and no contracts have been offered or even forwarded to either Khan or Crawford.

The legendary promoter almost fumed on the phone, over a report that was published yesterday saying a deal had been reached between Pacquiao and Khan.

“No. No. It’s a b..hit of a story,” he said.

The story that came out of the Daily Mail, which is based in England, quoted Khan’s father and adviser, Shah Khan, as saying they’ve signed the deal.

The report also said the papers are en route to Arum’s office.

“There is no contract yet. No deal whatsoever,” Arum told The STAR just hours after the erroneous report came out.

Phone calls flooded Arum’s office yesterday including one from Crawford’s manager, and his mobile phone kept ringing each time he hangs up.

Asked what the motive was behind the story, Arum said it’s because “the writer was trying to make headline.”

“It’s just not true. Amir Khan’s father called me up to apologize,” said Arum.

Pacquiao said he’ll be the one to decide whom he wants to fight next, and enjoying the inside track are Khan and Crawford.

Both are 28 years old, close to nine years younger than Pacquiao who will turn 37 on Dec. 17.

Khan, a former sparring partner of Pacquiao, is 31-3 with 19 knockouts, and has been longing for the big fight after missing out on Floyd Mayweather Jr. the past years.

Crawford, an American, is undefeated in 27 fights, also with 19 knockouts. Like Pacquiao, he’s under Top Rank Promotions.