Manny Pacquiao vs Terence Crawford close to being agreed, Abu Dhabi to host
It could prove to be the Fight of the Year if the welterweight showdown gets confirmed.
However, it is believed Pacquiao will return to the ring in June with WBO titlist Crawford his next opponent.
Should the fight come into fruition, it will serve Pacquiao his toughest test since Floyd Mayweather with Crawford rated by some, as boxing's Pound for Pound best.
"Bud" is undefeated from 37 bouts and is a three-division champion although some critics question the ability of some of his previous opponents, including Amir Khan who was seen as past his prime when the pair collided in 2019.
The report suggests Pacquiao and Crawford would meet in Abu Dhabi with Bob Arum's Top Rank and ESPN staging the event.
It is a major blow to Conor McGregor, who before losing to Dustin Poirier this year, had revealed he was going to fight Pacquiao in 2021.
Does the fight make sense?
With Errol Spence Jr. and Crawford pricing themselves out of the biggest welterweight fight to make, this is the next big thing.
Pacquiao, at 42, is still the biggest name in the sport alongside Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and will excite fans about his return when it seemed unlikely because of his role as senator in the Philippines during the global pandemic.
Arum - his promoter - has previously criticised Crawford for not being able to sell despite his qualities inside the ring so he will love the chance to impress against a boxing icon.