Manny Pacquiao could fight Terence Crawford next in Qatar, confirms promoter Bob Arum

MANNY PACQUIAO could fight Terence Crawford in Qatar if the American beats Kell Brook next Saturday.

Crawford’s veteran promoter Bob Arum wants a big name fight for his man next time out and he has the Filipino legend in his sights along with Errol Spence.

Manny Pacquiao could fight Terence Crawford in Qatar next time outCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The American has to beat Kell Brook next weekend firstCredit: Reuters

The Filipino legend is set to return to the ring and Arum wants his welterweight champion at the front of the queue.

British slugger Brook stands in his way first with the pair meeting next weekend in Las Vegas.

But Arum is already thinking ahead with Crawford, 33, favourite to beat Brook.

He said: “The next fight is going to be, as far as I can control things, we’re not going to fool around, it’s going to be Pacquiao or Spence.”

Arum previously claimed he had a deal in place for Pacquiao, 41, vs Crawford to take place in Qatar before the coronavirus outbreak.

And although Qatari officials reportedly pulled the plug, Arum, 88, is said to be keen to revive the deal.

But a US showdown with Spence is also on the cards and Arum called on his promoter Al Haymon to make the fight happen.

He added: “It’s to everybody’s benefit for us to do it together.

Errol Spence is also on Crawford’s radarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“If the fighters want guarantees, I think [Al] Haymon would be reluctant to face that bill himself.

“If it cratered, he would lose a lot money. This way he would have a partner in the money.”

Last month, SunSport exclusively revealed Spence has Pacquiao and Crawford in his sights too.

The WBC and IBF welterweight champion last year unified the titles by beating Shawn Porter.

But a month later, the unbeaten Texan was involved in a horrific car crash, as his Ferrari flipped.

Incredibly, he came out unscathed, but his next fight which was set for January against Danny Garcia was cancelled.

And 11 months on, Spence, 30, is finally set to face Garcia, 32 when they meet on December 5.

But he is already eyeing Crawford and Pacquiao afterwards in unification bouts.

And he believes an undisputed title reign would cement his place as pound-for-pound No1 – surpassing Canelo Alvarez or Vasyl Lomachenko.

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk