Horn v Manny a goer
A rematch between world champion boxer Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao is set to go ahead after promoters confirmed the Filipino great would return for a Battle of Brisbane II.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had threatened to pull support for the fight unless he was reassured Horn would fight Pacquiao, and not someone else.
However on Monday afternoon he was informed a deal had been struck for the Filipino great to return for a rematch to the blockbusting July 2 bout at Suncorp Stadium.
“Given what I have now been advised today through Duco (Events) and Top Rank we are in a position now where Brisbane Marketing will be re-engaged to be involved in the negotiation process,” Cr Quirk said.
“It was a matter of Manny Pacquiao deciding whether he wanted to take up that clause in the contract to give a rematch in the event that he lost.”
It is understood the fight will again take place at Suncorp Stadium, possibly in November, with measures to be put in place to mitigate the heat.
Before the announcement, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Cr Quirk to “get in Horn’s corner,” after she met with promoters over the weekend and was herself assured the rematch would go ahead.
Following his announcement on Monday, Ms Palaszczuk urged all Queenslanders to get behind Horn, who is actually the nephew of the lord mayor.
It is believed the council spent more than $1 million promoting the first Battle of Brisbane where Horn won the world title in what was considered a controversial points decision.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate earlier on Monday denied his council had offered funding in an attempt to bring the fight south.