Pacquiao-Horn fight expected to revitalize Australian boxing | ABS-CBN
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Pacquiao-Horn fight expected to revitalize Australian boxing
Pacquiao-Horn fight expected to revitalize Australian boxing
Report from Reuters
Published Apr 24, 2017 02:00 PM PHT
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The upcoming welterweight showdown between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and unheralded Jeff Horn has turned out to be an eagerly anticipated event in Australia, and will be the biggest boxing event held in the country in decades.
The upcoming welterweight showdown between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and unheralded Jeff Horn has turned out to be an eagerly anticipated event in Australia, and will be the biggest boxing event held in the country in decades.
Organizers expect a crowd of over 50,000 to cram into Lang Park, which regularly hosts domestic and international rugby and soccer matches.
Organizers expect a crowd of over 50,000 to cram into Lang Park, which regularly hosts domestic and international rugby and soccer matches.
Dean Lonergan, a director at promoter Duco Events, hoped the bout would revitalize boxing in Australia.
Dean Lonergan, a director at promoter Duco Events, hoped the bout would revitalize boxing in Australia.
"It's been in the doldrums for some time," Lonergan said in comments published by state media ABC.
"It's been in the doldrums for some time," Lonergan said in comments published by state media ABC.
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"I think you'll find this will be the biggest fight in Australian history and you'll see the underdog (Horn) come through, and there's nothing like Australians supporting their own guys when they're underdogs."
"I think you'll find this will be the biggest fight in Australian history and you'll see the underdog (Horn) come through, and there's nothing like Australians supporting their own guys when they're underdogs."
Pacquiao concedes Horn is a bit of an unknown quantity but has told the Australian he needs to be in peak condition to make sure their WBO welterweight title fight pleases fight fans Down Under.
Pacquiao concedes Horn is a bit of an unknown quantity but has told the Australian he needs to be in peak condition to make sure their WBO welterweight title fight pleases fight fans Down Under.
Pacquiao made a low-key entry to Australia on Monday, touching down at Brisbane airport for a promotional tour for their July 2 bout at Lang Park and speaking briefly to reporters before being whisked away by handlers.
Pacquiao made a low-key entry to Australia on Monday, touching down at Brisbane airport for a promotional tour for their July 2 bout at Lang Park and speaking briefly to reporters before being whisked away by handlers.
"I don't know much about him, but I know he's a fighter," Pacquiao told local media.
"I don't know much about him, but I know he's a fighter," Pacquiao told local media.
"I haven't watched his fights yet, but I'm going to get his last three fights and watch it.
"I haven't watched his fights yet, but I'm going to get his last three fights and watch it.
"My message for him is to work hard, and make sure you're 100 percent conditioned on July 2 so we can give a good fight, we can entertain people."
"My message for him is to work hard, and make sure you're 100 percent conditioned on July 2 so we can give a good fight, we can entertain people."
The fight against Horn (16-0-1) will be the 38-year-old Pacquiao's first since his unanimous decision victory for the title over American Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas last November.
The fight against Horn (16-0-1) will be the 38-year-old Pacquiao's first since his unanimous decision victory for the title over American Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas last November.
Pacquiao had previously agreed to an April fight against Briton Amir Khan in the United Arab Emirates but his promoter Bob Arum said last month it had been postponed after the $38 million offer for the bout failed to materialize.
Pacquiao had previously agreed to an April fight against Briton Amir Khan in the United Arab Emirates but his promoter Bob Arum said last month it had been postponed after the $38 million offer for the bout failed to materialize.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
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