Manny Pacquiao vs. Terence Crawford is under consideration to be the next fight to generate huge revenues by being held abroad, according to promoter Bob Arum.
The Top Rank chief has previously suggested that he might drop Crawford for his inability to make an economically viable bout, but a hefty site fee would be an obvious way forward to change his mind.
Arum is currently in negotiations with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn to set up a match with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury for the chance to crown the undisputed heavyweight boxer of the world. Due to the coronavirus pandemic it is expected that the fight will take place somewhere in the Middle or Far East to compensate for the lack of ticket sales.
Arum represents both Fury and Crawford, and is keen to set up his welterweight belt holder with Pacquiao in an event that would inevitably generate huge commercial interest.
Speaking to Barbershop Conversations, he said: “Kenny Porter came to our office two weeks ago to talk about a Crawford vs Shawn Porter fight.
“And then out of nowhere the idea of a tremendous site fee, the possibility of doing Pacquiao vs Crawford came up.
“Obviously it’s more money for Terence and Terence would prefer a Pacquiao fight against anybody else.
“We’re gonna see what happens, and we’ll know this week whether Pacquiao vs Crawford can actually happen.
“If it doesn’t happen, since Errol Spence clearly doesn’t wanna fight Crawford, I think Crawford vs Porter would be a tremendous fight.”
Filipino senator Pacquiao is reportedly open to fighting Crawford if he could take $40 million from a $50 million purse, with the remainder due to his challenger.