Manny Pacquiao signs contract to fight Jeff Horn

Bob Arum is getting his way when it comes to Manny Pacquiao’s next fight.

The Top Rank promoter told the LA Times on Tuesday that Pac-Man has signed a contract to fight Jeff Horn in July. Arum initially pushed for Pacquiao to fight Horn, but there appeared to be little public interest in that fight. After voters on a Twitter poll overwhelmingly said they wanted Pacquiao to face Amir Khan instead, Pac’s manager began working on a deal with Khan. The money for that deal reportedly fell through, leading Arum to go back to Horn.

Though details are still being finalized, the fight is set to take place on July 1 at SunCorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. The stadium typically hosts rugby matches and has a capacity of over 52,000.

This will be Pacquiao’s first time fighting in Australia. Most big fights typically are held in Las Vegas, although Pacquiao has also fought in Macau and at Cowboys Stadium this decade.

Arum says a fight with Khan could still take place in November. Pacquiao, 38, is 59-6-2 and has won two in a row. Horn, 29, is 16-0-1. He is a Brisbane native.