Pacquiao in sights of Aussie

Welterweight Jeff Horn has continued his impressive rise to the top and is within touching distance of a big-money fight against Manny Pacquiao after knocking out Ali Funeka at Vector Arena last night.

Australian Horn put on an at times brutal show against Funeka, winning with a TKO in the sixth round.

Both fighters received cuts from accidental head clashes, with Funeka also knocked down in the fifth round. In the sixth round he got to his feet but was clearly unwell after a traditional flurry of punches from the man known as the “Hornet”.

Horn is ranked No 2 by the WBO, with Pacquioa the champion.

John Parker continued his winning start to his professional career with a unanimous points decision on the first televised undercard fight.

Parker, fighting at catchweight but aiming to continue at light heavyweight, won all four rounds against Ash McConville from Christchurch.

McConville proved a tough opponent for the 22-year-old Parker, who fought for the first time as a professional on the undercard of his big brother’s last fight in October, another win.

Parker impressed with his jab, but struggled to find his range at times. He landed far more punches than McConville, including several right hooks, and neither man was hurt.

Joseph, watching ringside ahead of his world title fight, appeared satisfied with his little brother’s work.

South Auckland heavyweight Junior Fa took his professional record to 10-0 when beating Argentine Pablo Magrini by TKO in the third round. Fa was never troubled.