MANNY Pacquiao isn?t saying anything yet about his planned superfight with Jeff Horn at Suncorp Stadium on July 2 but the fists of Brisbane?s “Fighting Schoolteacher?? are suddenly making a lot of noise.
While the fight is still to be formally announced and Horn?s promoters and the Queensland Government, who are backing the event, say there are still many details to be finalised, Horn is preparing himself for 12 weeks of hard work ahead of the most lucrative fight ever held in Australia.
A crowd of 55,000 is expected at Suncorp as Pacquiao, 38, is set to receive more than $10 million to defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Horn, 29, the undefeated No. 2 contender.
Pacquiao, a Filipino senator, is yet to comment publicly on the fight but while he remains silent Horn?s fists were roaring yesterday at his Stretton gym as he plotted a monumental upset against one of the greatest boxers of all time.
“I hope everything can be finalised soon,?? Horn said.
“I started training as a boxer because I was getting bullied at school and to now be taking on one of the greatest fighters ever in front of my home crowd at Suncorp is something that was beyond my wildest dreams.??
Horn v Pacquiao was originally set for April 23 at Suncorp but the bout was postponed as Pacquiao chased a bigger offer ? said to be $A49 million ? to fight Britain?s Amir Khan in the United Arab Emirates. Unable to playback video The video you’re trying to watch is not supported by this device or browser Donald Trump urges Manny Pacquiao to fight Jeff Horn in Brisbane
As Horn waited patiently for that deal to collapse he stayed in top condition.
Trainer Glenn Rushton, who has coached Horn since he was a bullied schoolboy learning self-defence, said yesterday: “We?ve already started light sparring work but once the Pacquiao fight is 100 per cent locked in we?ll step that up.
“We?ve wanted to keep Jeff?s motor running without overtaxing him. There?s 12 weeks to go and Jeff will have to be at his very best against Pacquiao. Jeff knows that at his best he will be the next welterweight champion of the world.??
The fight is scheduled for 10 days before State of Origin III at Suncorp and Pacquiao is expected to train in a NSW jersey to add to the pre-fight drama.
In a statement yesterday, Horn?s promoters Duco Events said the fight was still not a certainty.
“Until (the) process is completed, where all parties are contractually bound, there is no event to be announced,? Duco said.
But Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz said his fighter has agreed to the bout and that the champion was keen “for a quick win?? over Horn to set up a fight with Amir Khan in November.
“My preference was to fight Amir Khan,? Koncz told Fox Sports. “That didn?t work out. We had this on the table so we decided to take it.
“Manny will train and do the best he can and hopefully we get the fight over with very quickly, we get out of there, we say hi to the Australian fans and media and come home.?
