Manny Pacquiao next fight: Jeff Horn deal 'nearly done,' fight likely on July 2

Manny Pacquiao's next fight against Australian Jeff Horn is nearly set in stone and the terms of the July bout would be confirmed in the coming days, per reports. Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, has declared his intention to fight twice this year -- in July and November.

Michael Koncz, who serves as an adviser to Pacquiao, revealed that the fight would likely go down on July 2 at the Suncorps Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. “Looks like Pacquiao will fight Horn on July 2. We are finalising the terms. (They) should be finalised by (the) end of (this) week,” Koncz told Philippines news website Rappler, via The Australian.

Promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, had reportedly given the Filipino a deadline of Thursday this week to decide on whether he was going to agree to the fight with Horn. Arum told several news outlets that Pacquiao would avoid fighting again until November if the Horn bout didn't interest him. “They have to make a decision by Wednesday (Thursday in Philippines). If we can’ get a fight for him this July, we’ll look at November. Unless it’s a big fight, we are looking at Manny fighting outside the U.S,” Arum had said.

Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn fight to take place in Brisbane

According to The Courier Mail, Pacquiao stands to make in excess of AU$10 million from the defence of his WBO welterweight championship against the undefeated Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs), who earned the nickname "The Flying Schoolteacher" for doubling up as a schoolteacher and a boxer.

Earlier this year, when talks of a Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn fight picked up steam, the Australian was quick to call out Pacquiao. “I’ve fought all over the world as an amateur and I’ve had a lot of fights against some top fighters as an amateur and pro. I’ve only had 17 fights and Pacquiao has had 67 but I think I’ve got the skills to win. It’s my time. I’m getting Pacquiao at the right moment. I know I have the power to hurt him. If I land a clean shot on Pacquiao when he’s coming forward I know I could hurt him. That’s what I’m hoping for to catch him as he rushes in," said Horn, via The Courier Mail.

The Manny Pacquio vs Amir Khan bout is still on the cards for November. If Pacquio were to retain his WBO title against Horn, he would defend the championship against Khan in the potential super fight.

Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2), who won his two fights last year against Timothy Bradley (Apr. 9) and Jessie Vargas (Nov. 5), has suffered only six losses through his illustrious career that began in 1995. However, the 38-year-old Filipino hasn't scored a knockout victory since 2009 and has lost three of his last eight bouts.