Manny Pacquiao mulls next opponent for comeback

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao stating that he wants to fight in April has put Jeff Horn’s immediate plans, momentarily, on hold.

Two days before Christmas, Top Rank chief Bob Arum announced that Pacquiao is back on line, and has indicated plans for a comeback fight.

At the same time, the king of boxing promoters said Horn is “all set” to defend his WBO welterweight crown against Terence Crawford.

Arum, who has promotional rights over the three, is looking at Horn vs Crawford on April 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“It’s contractual – Horn versus Crawford,” he told the American press.

But Horn is now saying that nothing is definite.

The former schoolteacher, who dethroned Pacquiao last July, has yet to determine his next opponent.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge yet,’ he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

While Horn has informed his trainer, Glenn Rushton, that he wants to get ready for a fight in April, he’s doesn’t know if it’s against Crawford.

Many things must be crossing Horn’s mind right now, especially after Pacquiao, who just turned 39, said he’s fighting in April.

One has to give because Arum can’t do the Horn versus Crawford title fight and Pacquiao versus someone else on the same month.

Horn must be trying to figure out ways on how to convince Pacquiao to do the rematch in April, anywhere in the world.

Crawford, 30, and undefeated in 32 fights with 23 knockouts, is not the type of fighter Horn needs to get to a rematch with Pacquiao.

Against Crawford, Horn faces a great risk of losing everything, including his crown and another rare, lucrative shot at Pacquiao.

If it’s a rematch with Pacquiao, Horn will be guaranteed no less than $2 million, as stated in their previous contract.

Against Crawford, he will settle for “peanuts.”

A $2 million offer for Horn to fight 42-year-old Anthony Mundine, a former rugby player and middleweight champion, remains high in the air.