Bob Arum announces massive doubleheader in 2021

THE promoter responsible for bringing Manny Pacquiao to Australia, could return with an unprecedented line-up.

Bob Arum, the CEO and founder of Top Rank, has signalled his intentions to promote a world title doubleheader in Australia, featuring former WBA titleholder Andrew Moloney and unbeaten lightweight George Kambosos.

In an interview with leading broadcaster Ben Damon, the 88-year-old Arum revealed his plan, which coincided with Moloney’s controversial no decision result against Texas-based rival Joshua Franco.

“We’re going to do another fight with Franco, and hopefully, we’ll do it in Australia, and in spring,” he told Fox Sports News.

“Hopefully, Andrew will be the champion at the time. But even if he goes in as the challenger, we’re confident that he will continue to do what he did in those two rounds, and come across with a victory over Franco.

“Hopefully the pandemic will be over in the spring… even if it’s not over and I have to come over early to quarantine myself, I’m going to do it. But Top Rank will be promoting that event in Australia.”

The Las Vegas-based promotional firm, who promotes both Andrew and Jason Moloney, see the tent-pole event as an opportunity to showcase the recently crowned undisputed lightweight kingpin, Teofimo Lopez.

Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs), who holds all four major lightweight titles, could make his mandatory defence against flamboyant Australian George Kambosos (19-0, 10 KOs). The Sydney-based lightweight defeated Lee Selby earlier this month to secure a deserved world title opportunity in 2021.

“We have the new undisputed lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, who had this great victory over Vasyl Lomachenko,” Arum explained.

“We hope to have him come over, and give (George) Kambosos… who won the IBF eliminator. Give him a shot at the title. That’s a great possibility.

“We hope to have additional title fights on the card. We’re going to make it a massive, massive event, and it’ll be a tribute to all the great boxers in Australia. Particularly the Moloney brothers.”

Arum also spoke about his desire to promote Tim Tszyu, given his long-standing relationship with father Kostya.

“I’d like to get in touch with Timmy Tszyu, Kostya Tszyu’s son,” he concluded.

“I promoted a number of fights years ago for Kostya Tszyu. I’d love to have him on the card. Make it a huge night for the sport of boxing in Australia.”

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