By Paul J Daley

Some people maybe reading this in thinking “I knew it was too good to be true” but yesterday news broke of the potential match-up of Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan falling through with Bob Arum telling news outlets “Michael (Koncz) is on his way back to meet Manny but its kaddish for UAE Deal, It’s dead” 

The fight was put together after Pacquiao decided a defence against Australia’s Jeff Horn in Brisbane wasn’t for him, Instead seeking the big money that was apparently on the table from a business consortium in the United Arab Emirates in a fight that would involve former world champion / stable buddy Amir Khan, now looking like a mirage.

“I’m Talking to him (Koncz) about another proposal for another fight, not Khan” Said Arum “Khan wont be Manny’s next opponent”

Arum was always wary of the deal from the start of negotiations due to the time restraints involved although did say that a fight with Khan could still happen later in the year.

“UAE would not happen until November, If it happens at all, But I doubt it will.” Arum said, before going on to give his reasoning behind the thought process, doing the fight in late June or July after the holy month of Ramadan would not be possible because it would have to take place in an outdoor arena which would be far too hot in the desert during summer.

Pacquiao is expected to fight elsewhere in June or July with the search for another opponent expected to be announced in the next couple of weeks.