Bob Arum: Khan won’t be Pacquiao’s next opponent, UAE deal ‘dead’

The scheduled May 19th fight between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan is no longer happening, according to promoter Bob Arum.

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will no longer be fighting former sparring partner Amir Khan. This was confirmed by Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum on Tuesday.

“Michael (Koncz) is on his way back to meet with Manny but it’s kaddish for the UAE deal,” Arum told ESPN.com. “It’s dead. I’m talking to him about another proposal for another fight, not Khan. Khan won’t be Manny’s next opponent.”

Two weeks ago, Pacquiao himself tweeted that his camp already “came to terms” with Khan’s team for a fight scheduled for April 23rd in the UAE. But according to Arum, the said date was too close to finalize the deal, which then led to a rescheduling to May 19th. However, Arum also revealed that discussions between him and Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz about the new date never bore fruit.

Initially, Pacquiao was in talks to face Australian boxer Jeff Horn in Brisbane. But instead, the Filipino boxing icon went a different route after an unnamed investment group reportedly offered him $38 million to fight Khan in the UAE.

Arum says if the group could still come up with the money, the Khan fight could still push through in the UAE in November. But even so, he remains skeptical about it.

“UAE would not happen until November, if it happens at all, but I doubt it will,” Arum said, adding that he expects Pacquiao to be back in the ring by June or July.

The scheduled May 19th fight between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan is no longer happening, according to promoter Bob Arum.

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will no longer be fighting former sparring partner Amir Khan. This was confirmed by Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum on Tuesday.

“Michael (Koncz) is on his way back to meet with Manny but it’s kaddish for the UAE deal,” Arum told ESPN.com. “It’s dead. I’m talking to him about another proposal for another fight, not Khan. Khan won’t be Manny’s next opponent.”

Two weeks ago, Pacquiao himself tweeted that his camp already “came to terms” with Khan’s team for a fight scheduled for April 23rd in the UAE. But according to Arum, the said date was too close to finalize the deal, which then led to a rescheduling to May 19th. However, Arum also revealed that discussions between him and Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz about the new date never bore fruit.

Initially, Pacquiao was in talks to face Australian boxer Jeff Horn in Brisbane. But instead, the Filipino boxing icon went a different route after an unnamed investment group reportedly offered him $38 million to fight Khan in the UAE.

Arum says if the group could still come up with the money, the Khan fight could still push through in the UAE in November. But even so, he remains skeptical about it.

“UAE would not happen until November, if it happens at all, but I doubt it will,” Arum said, adding that he expects Pacquiao to be back in the ring by June or July.