Philippines, 03 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Yes, Pacquiao is taking Jeff Horn seriously


PhilBoxing.com




MANNY Pacquiao said he would first review the past three fights of Jeff Horn, whom he had heard of for the first time. This was before Pacquiao started training for his July 2 fight with the unbeaten but obscure Australian hope.

It was unclear if Pacquiao found time to watch the Horn fight tapes; and what he saw, if he ever found time to view them.
For his part, Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach would declare flatly that Horn would be a (mere) tune-up for Pacquiao.

**

Naturally, the whole of Australia became quite anxious, mainly after suspicion rose that Pacquiao was not taking Horn (16-0-1) seriously.

Australian sportswriters, readily dispatched to Manila to interview Pacquiao, ended up frustrated in their first frantic try to corner Pacquiao in the morning.

Wrote Andrew Webster of the Sydney Morning Herald: ?Each time, he failed to appear as promised, as directed, as scheduled.?
The posse of Australian reporters also started to wonder ?if this was all by design.?

**

Fortunately, the visiting reporters caught up with Pacquiao at the training gym that afternoon.

They were one in saying they found Pacquiao both humble and charming.

Still, they failed to pin down Pacquiao on how he finds Horn, an awful 9-1 underdog down in Australia.

**

While Horn has been very open about training doubly hard to put on more power, to the point of hiring a special Korean mentor, there has been nothing much on the over-all preparation.

It would become clear Horn?s main focus would be to stop Pacquao--the earlier, the better--in their world welterweight championship bout.

Pacquiao, the Australian group noted, last scored a stoppage in 2009, against Miguel Cotto. However, there was nothing clear on whether Pacquiao was trying to enhance his once-fabled punching power.

The most significant factor noted was Pacquiao?s rigid gym regimen, which the visitors found truly grueling.

**

Andrew Webster said Pacquiao readily dismissed talks about him taking Horn lightly. Pacquiao was quoted as saying he wanted to focus on speed and agility.

?Quick and strong legs, strong body,? Pacquiao told Webster.
That?s how he hopes to beat Horn, the visiting Australian writer said.

The Australians had seen nothing yet. Pacquiao is scheduled to ramp up training next week.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.