Premier fights for rematch
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has held a secret meeting with one of the promoters behind the Jeff Horn and Manny Pacquiao world title fight to try and ensure the rematch returns to Brisbane.
The rematch has yet to be confirmed by Pacquiao’s camp but if it goes ahead other states and countries are expected to bid strongly for the event.
Ms Palaszczuk met with Duco Events director Dean Lonergan at the Shingle Inn at Brisbane Square yesterday, following the ticker tape parade for new champion Horn.
The pair discussed the success of the fight and plotted the best ways to ensure the rematch is held in Brisbane.
“Make no mistake, any Jeff Horn rematch will be held in Brisbane,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Jeff Horn is a world champion and a champion Queenslander. The next time Jeff Horn fights, he will have 4.8 million Queenslanders in his corner.”
But Ms Palaszczuk refused to divulge any further details about what level of support the State Government was willing to offer.
Mr Lonergan said the partnership between the State Government and Brisbane City Council was crucial to snaring the first fight and it would likely play a major role in securing any rematch.
“The fight ended up in Brisbane because it was the best place for it from a financial perspective and it worked,” he said.
“I think Manny Pacquiao will decide where the next fight is based on the same principles.”
But Mr Lonergan said he still had not received confirmation from Pacquiao’s camp the rematch would happen.
Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum said he welcomed the heightened interest in the fight from the controversial decision to award Horn the win.
“The states in Australia are already beginning to bid crazy numbers to have this fight in November (or) December. The interest is sky-high,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
But there are serious roadblocks to a return fight and most of them are from the Pacquiao camp.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach says his fighter should contemplate retirement after the brutal 12-round brawl.
Horn says he would love Pacquiao to have a second crack at him.
“Manny would probably train harder for a rematch,’’ Horn said at yesterday’s tickertape parade. “But he still won’t beat me.’’