The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Jesse C. Ong
Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum recently put an abrupt end to talks about the rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn happening in the Philippines, saying that the fight cannot be done anywhere but Australia.
In a published interview, Arum branded as “impossible” the plans bared by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to stage the second meeting between Pacquiao and Horn in the country.
Arum said it is ridiculous to even entertain thoughts of doing the rematch at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Marilao, Bulacan as it was stipulated in the contract signed by both fighters that Australia will be the venue should there be another meeting between them.
The boxing promoter stressed that the anticipated Pacquiao-Horn II will not happen and that the 29-year-old Australian might end up looking for another opponent instead if Pacquiao insists on having their rematch in the Philippines in December.
The only way for the rematch to be done outside of Australia, is if the newly-crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king agrees to it, which Arum is certain Horn will not.
Arum added that nobody even brought the idea of holding the fight in the Philippines to the Horn camp before the news about it came out and sparked excitement among Filipino boxing fans several days ago.
In the news, Teo announced being in talks with 1Pacman party-list representative Eric Pineda concerning the country’s hosting of the rematch, which the DOT plans to undertake by getting several sponsors. Pineda is Pacquiao’s business manager.
The controversial first fight between Pacquiao and Horn was done at the Brisbane Stadium on July 2 and witnessed by over 51,000 spectators.