Bob Arum Confirms Manny Pacquiao is Likely to Fight Chris Algieri in November

Manny Pacquiao is likely to meet Chris Algieri in his next fight in November, Bob Arum has confirmed.

30-year-old Algieri was largely an unknown quantity until last month when he upset Ruslan Provodnikov to lift the WBO junior welterweight championship.

But Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, has confirmed an offer has been made after positive talks with Algieri's promoter Joe DeGuardia and co-promoter Artie Pelullo ahead of a possible showdown in Macau on 22 November.

Speaking to ESPN, Arum said: "That's the fight I'd like to make and I think we are getting closer. Artie is here with me now and hopefully we will be able to finalise everything."

"I like the storyline with Algieri. Besides being a good fighter, he's a college graduate, a kid who wants to go to medical school to become a doctor in the future. He's articulate, good looking and we'll get a lot of backing in the promotion from the New York media because he's from New York."

Algieri, who remains undefeated in 20 fights, narrowly overcame the hard hitting Provodnikov despite being knocked to the canvas twice in the opening round before winning on a split decision in June.

That victory would appear to be his golden ticket to a fight with Pacquiao, who avenged his 2012 defeat to Timothy Bradley to win the WBO welterweight title in April this year.

On the offer from Arum and Top Rank, Algieri's promoter DeGuardia said: "We have an offer from Bob and we're excited. I'm enthusiastic. It's the kind of fight that can push Chris higher up the ladder. He made a huge step in his last fight by winning the title against Ruslan and that would be another huge step up the ladder."

Although a fifth meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez has been touted the Mexican would appear to be out of the running should the proposed bout between Pacquiao and Algieri fall through. Mike Alvarado also remains a candidate but his record of three losses in his last four fights - including the last two to Marquez and Provodnikov – suggest it is unlikely.