Horn a fan of ‘Goldie Gloves’

MANNY Pacquiao conqueror Jeff Horn loves the idea of the Battle of Brisbane becoming Golden Gloves on the Goldie.

The Brisbane slugger said he had fought on the Gold Coast before and it would sell out if the boxing rematch was on the Glitter Strip.

Uncertainty about the location of their second fight continued yesterday, with promoter Duco Events — which has booked November dates at Robina’s CBUS Super Stadium as a back-up — saying the Gold Coast remained a contender for the blockbuster.

Horn, who will be on the Coast on Friday to help launch Goldsky hedge fund’s new Tweed-based homelessness foundation, told the Bulletin: “Yes there’s been some discussion about taking the rematch to the Gold Coast. It’s still in Queensland, it’s a beautiful place and it would be great for tourism as well.

“I go down the Coast all the time, it’s so close and we can pack out CBUS Stadium I reckon,” Horn said.

“It’s a decent size stadium and it would still sound like 50,000 like I had last time.”

Horn added: “I have fought a few times down the Gold Coast earlier in my career, they all enjoy boxing, they know boxing.”

Duco director Dean Lonergan confirmed yesterday the Gold Coast was still in the mix.

“No agreements have been officially reached with regards to Suncorp Stadium hosting the fight,” Mr Lonergan said.

“That’s why we booked CBUS Super Stadium in advance.

“The preferred option of course is still Suncorp Stadium but it’s good to know the Gold Coast is keen to host the fight.”

Duco were stunned at the weekend when Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk pulled his council’s funding support for the rematch in Brisbane until Pacquiao officially confirmed he was on board.

Pacquiao did so this week but no deal has been done.

Major Events Minister Kate Jones is also a Coast fan, saying she would be doing everything she could to keep it in Queensland, whether it was in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

“I’m advised the promoter would prefer Brisbane but if it has to be on the Gold Coast, let’s do it on the Gold Coast.”

After Lord Mayor Quirk’s funding flip-flop, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said if the city was genuinely in the mix he would be “more than willing” to seek council financial support get the rematch here.

It is understood Brisbane’s council stumped up $1.7m to host the first fight, pumping $20m into the economy.