Pacquiao’s MP8 Promotions and Golden Boy have agreed a deal in principle, with an official announcement on the summer battle all that’s missing.
The pair will trade blows for the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title currently in the possession of Matthysse.
Meanwhile, Nick Giongco of the Manila Bulletin reported Bob Arum has given the fight his blessing.
Manny Pacquiao’s desire to bring his wares to Malaysia has the blessings of Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who told the Bulletin on Wednesday morning from Las Vegas that he doesn’t see any problem with such a proposal.
“That is fine,” said Arum, who had planned to feature Pacquiao on the same card that will have Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford as the top draw for April 14 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
As long as Malaysia comes up with the money, Arum will go with the flow of seeing Pacquiao fight in Kuala Lumpur in late-May or June.
Pacquiao said on Tuesday that Argentine Lucas Matthysse or American Danny Garcia are being looked at as possible foes for the Malaysia show.
Also, Arum revealed that Jerwin Ancajas will make the mandatory defense of the IBF super-flyweight crown against Jonas Sultan either on April 14–underneath the Horn-Crawford mainer–or April 28 in Philadelphia.
“We have a (Top Rank on ESPN) date on the 28th in Philadelphia,” said Arum.
“We’ll finalize (the Ancajas-Sultan fight) this week,” added Arum.
