Philippines, 27 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:

  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 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.