The return of Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) is close to finalized and it appears that his next fight is pay-per-view bound.

Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, advised the Los Angeles Times that he's putting the finishing touches on what be his company's first ESPN pay-per-view event - which is targeted for April 14 at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The card would feature Pacquiao making his New York City debut against an opponent to be finalized.

As BoxingScene.com previously reported last month, former WBO junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado (38-4, 26 KOs) is a leading candidate to secure the fight.

Arum would not confirm or deny that Alvarado is a frontrunner for the fight.

The other piece of the PPV puzzle would have Terence Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs) challenging WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs), who shocked the sport last July when he pulled off an upset decision over Pacquiao to capture the title before a crowd of over 51,000 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Crawford, after capturing world titles at lightweight and junior welterweight, would be making his debut at 147-pounds.

"We're going over contracts with four guys that we handle, and everything's coming along nicely," Arum said to LA Times.

Pacquiao has been out of the ring since the loss to Horn. The former eight division world champion has been focused on his duties as a senator in the Philippines.

There was a rematch planned with Horn for last fall, but Pacquiao withdrew after citing conflicts with his work schedule. Instead, Horn made a voluntary defense in December, and picked up a knockout win over British contender Gary Concoran.

A fight with Alvarado could give Pacquiao the opportunity to potentially secure his first knockout victory since 2009, when he stopped Miguel Cotto at a catch-weight of 145-pounds.

Pacquiao is being lined up to face the winner of Crawford vs. Horn by the end of the year.