A WIN for Jeff Horn will be a knockout for Queensland tourism.
The Brisbane schoolteacher?s boxing battle against the legendary Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium today is expected to be worth $23 million to the local economy, but a win by the local hope could send the value through the roof.
Pacquiao has a clause in his contract entitling him to a Brisbane rematch if he loses today?s epic WBO world title bout. Essentially an insurance policy, the clause could see the two boxers square off at Suncorp again in November.
It is not compulsory for Pacquiao to take part in a rematch but the fact he insisted on it as part of the contract is encouraging for local tourism leaders.
It would mean another windfall for Queensland tourism, which is already basking in the glow of almost 17,000 out-of-state visitors who have descended on Brisbane for the weekend.
There is barely a spare room in the city?s hotels, with accommodation giant Mantra recording occupancy levels of almost 90 per cent across their nine properties for tonight ? up more than 25 per cent on the same night last year.
Chairman of Top Rank, the biggest boxing promoter in the world, Bob Arum told The Sunday Mail this is the fight that would bring boxing back to its rightful place in global sport.
?It is a transformational fight for not only Australia but the world. Two clean-cut guys ? both family men with great morals and ethics ? going toe-to-toe at the Cauldron, Suncorp Stadium in front of a packed audience of 55,000.
?That?s not to mention the television audience. In the United States alone, this is going live on ESPN into 90 million homes. In Australia it may well be Main Event?s largest. ESPN has told me they have never promoted a sporting event ? let alone a fight ? bigger than this.
?Can you imagine the tourism spin-offs for Queensland and Australia?
?I?d really like to pay tribute to your State Government ? and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk through Brisbane Marketing. They saw the potential in this event and have run with it.
Now it?s up to the fighters. This is going to be a great day for Australia and a great day for international boxing.
May the best man win.
