Early this week, Top Rank boss Bob Arum had told WBN friend Nick Giongco of The Manila Bulletin the following: “Manny can’t do the fight this year. We will try for early next year.”
This statement was quickly followed up by an explanation from the Queensland State Governement, who said: “We have been advised today that Manny Pacquiao cannot return to the ring on 12 November as proposed,” which seemed to be the QSG reacting to information relayed by Arum and his team.
They added: “I am advised Mr. Pacquiao, who is also a Senator of the Philippines, will have other commitments at that time.”
Pacquiao, speaking to dzBB, has now corrected both these statements by pointing out he still wants to fight, but not in Brisbane or even on Australian soil – to be exact.
“At the moment we are talking about not fighting in Australia as I cannot go, but we are (able to stage the fight) here in the Philippines. We’re talking about a rematch here,” Pacquiao said before addressing the potential cost to the Filipino State of staging the fight in his home country.
“It does not matter. I have much support. The Department of Tourism supports me and our President is also supporting,” confirmed the eight-weight champion.
Potential replacements for Pacquiao had already been lined up as Jessie Vargas and Mike Alvarada were mentioned as possibles for Horn last week.
Horn’s compatriot Anthony Mundine, who has campaigned at 175 pounds for his last fight, also offered to boil down to the mid 150’s should the WBO welterweight champion be willing to step up.
As things currently stand though, miscommunication seems to be rife in all camps.
