Manny Pacquiao could return to ring in April at T-Mobile Arena
Manny Pacquiao could soon make his T-Mobile Arena debut if the Golden Knights and NHL allow it.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he’s working on an ESPN-televised April 21 card that will feature a WBO welterweight title fight between champion Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford and possibly Pacquiao’s first bout since losing to Horn in July.
Arum said he wants the card at T-Mobile Arena but hasn’t received approval because the Golden Knights might need the venue for the NHL playoffs, scheduled to begin April 11. The Golden Knights lead the Pacific Division with 61 points.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef is expected to meet with MGM Resorts International president Bill Hornbuckle this week to figure out a solution.
“Unless they can get some clearance from the league, we can’t do it in Las Vegas because none of the other arenas are available and we would have to do it somewhere else,” Arum said.
The card could be moved to New York’s Madison Square Garden on April 14, Arum said.
It’s still undecided whether Pacquiao, 39, or the Crawford-Horn fight would headline the event. Arum declined to mention potential opponents for Pacquiao, a senator in the Philippines.
“We’re working on an opponent,” Arum said. “Don’t want to be too premature about that, but we’re working on it as we speak. Pacquiao seems like he wants to come back, so we’re trying to get that finalized.
“ESPN has a way to solve (the main event issue), so it will be very interesting when we announce it.”
Horn took the WBO title from Pacquiao with a unanimous decision in Brisbane, Australia. Horn will make his second title defense against Crawford, who is moving up to welterweight after unifying the junior welterweight division in August.
More boxing: Follow all of our boxing coverage online at reviewjournal.com/boxing and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.
Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GManzano24 on Twitter.
