By Steve Kim
In the wake of his eleventh round stoppage of Gary Corcoran on December 13th, there were reports of WBO welterweight titlist Jeff Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs) considering the possibility of facing Anthony Mundine in an all-Australian showdown - with a $2 million guarantee claimed to be on the table for the unbeaten champ.
But there is a problem with that scenario - Horn has a mandatory due against Terence Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs).
So is Horn seriously contemplating a fight with Mundine and is it an option?
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who alongside Dean Lonergan has an interest in Horn, told BoxingScene.com - "The answer is no and no. He's not seriously contemplating it because he doesn't have that option."
Of course, if Horn decided to vacate the title, he could perhaps entertain the Mundine match-up. But it doesn't seem as though he is seriously considering that.
"Jeff is a terrific young man, he just became a father as you know and Glenn Rushton his manager and trainer is a terrific guy," continued Arum, who added, "I can't say what it is but we've made plans for the next fight for Jeff Horn."
Crawford, who Arum promotes, became the WBO's mandatory challenger in 2017, after making his decision to move up in weight after unifying the entire junior welterweight division.
Horn pulled off one of the biggest shockers of 2017, when he fought his way to a twelve round unanimous decision over eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao in July to capture the WBO belt, before a crowd of 51,000 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
There was a rematch clause and the second fight was targeted for last November, but Pacquiao withdrew after citing issues with his work schedule as a senator in the Philippines.
Pacquiao's return is now being lined up for a date in April - and then Arum wants him to fight the Horn-Crawford winner - if that fight comes off.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.