Manny Pacquiao caused confusion within the boxing world a couple of days ago, by opening up a Twitter poll asking fans to select his next opponent.
Many believed it was a done deal for Pacquiao to defend his title against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane at the end of April. That fight now looks in jeopardy after a couple of strange tweets from the 38-year-old.
Firstly, he posted an image of himself with the caption “See you in UAE for my next fight”.
See you in UAE for my next fight. #TeamPacquiao pic.twitter.com/AioncFnlrV
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) 12 February 2017
This came after his adviser, Michael Koncz, had earlier told Fight News Asia that Pacquiao’s next fight would indeed be in Dubai, against Horn. When asked about the fight, Koncz said:
“There was a lot of confusion whether this is going to happen here in the UAE. [But] I’m here with full authority and power. I have been the marriage counsellor for Manny and we have developed a relationship. I’m involved in all aspects of what he does.
“We have executed the agreement in the morning and 100 percent the fight will he here in the UAE.”
To add to the confusion, the eight-division titlist then posted a poll on Twitter for fans to select his next opponent. The options consisted of Horn, current 147-pound alphabet titlist Kell Brook, Brook’s fellow Englishman Amir Khan, and unbeaten American Terrence Crawford.
The poll ended with 44,815 votes and the results show that fans do not want to see the proposed Pacquiao – Horn fight. The relatively unknown Aussie finished bottom of the pile with just 7% of the votes, whilst Amir Khan was the overwhelming winner with 48%.
Results of Pacquiao’s Twitter Poll
- Amir Khan 48%
- Kell Brook 24%
- Terrence Crawford 21%
- Jeff Horn 7%
Who do you want me to fight next in the UAE?
— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 12, 2017
Pacquiao taking on Khan may have been the fans choice but there’s nothing to suggest the fight will actually happen. There were reports back in 2015 of a potential encounter between the two, but the British fighter claimed the Filipino veteran didn’t want to face him. Maybe, this time, Pac-Man will give the boxing public the fight they want to see.
Who Pacquiao faces next, and where the fight will be held, is still a cause for confusion. However, there will almost certainly be further developments to this story in the near future.
Peter Reynolds, Pundit Arena
Read More About: amir khan, amir khan news, boxing news, Dubai, Fight News, Jeff Horn, kell brook, manny pacquiao, manny pacquiao news, Terrence Crawford, wbo, WBO Welterweight Champion
