Pac Man deal close
SYDNEY could steal one of the biggest fights in Australian boxing history from under the noses of Queenslanders as promoters begin to shop around the hugely anticipated bout between Brisbane welterweight Jeff ‘‘The Hornet’’ Horn and Filipino great Manny Pacquiao.
What was initially dismissed as boxing talk has become more concrete, with the chances of WBO welterweight champion Pacquiao venturing to Australia to meet No 2 contender Horn growing by the day.
Horn is co-promoted by New Zealand-based Duco Events and Top Rank, run by legendary boxing figure Bob Arum.
Arum saw Horn fight and win in New Zealand against Ali Funeka and believes the former schoolteacher has huge ability and marketing potential in the US.
A decent performance against Pacquiao would do wonders for the profile of the 28-year-old, a 2012 Olympian unbeaten in 17 fights as a professional.
Despite some scepticism about Horn’s credentials, Duco and Top Rank view it as a win-win. A booking has already been made for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on April 23, but promoters are hoping the prospect of a huge crowd and a massive influx of Pacquiao fans and visiting media sparks interest from state governments on the east coast and even South Australia.
Arum told Fairfax Media from Las Vegas that the purse demands weren’t excessive, while Duco representatives are already scouting venues and dates in Sydney to ensure the best return for their investment in the title fight.
‘‘It’s not crazy numbers, it’s reasonable numbers,’’ Arum said.
‘‘With the Australian-New Zealand pay-per-view, with what we can sell with the site, the sponsorship and with government backing, it shouldn’t be hard to accomplish.’’
Allianz Stadium would be a logical venue in Sydney if it was available during a packed rugby league, rugby union and football calendar, but Duco are keeping their options open.
The South Australian government tipped in millions for the Danny Green-Anthony Mundine fight and could be tempted to go again if that produced a return.
It would be highly embarrassing for the Queensland Government if a local fighter stunned Pacquiao in the middle of Blues territory, especially given Horn’s cousin is Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
But the drawing power of someone of the stature of Pacquiao has organisers confident they don’t need to host the fight in Horn’s hometown to ensure it fills the stands.
It would then come down to a bidding way between state events planners.
Sydney has a large Filipino population centred around Blacktown and Arum said Pacquiao would base himself in Australia for a number of weeks before the fight in another move that would give the bout instant profile regardless of the opponent.
Arum has taken a liking to Horn, a well-spoken, educated fighter who gave up teaching physical education to pursue his fighting career.
Arum concedes beating Pacquiao would be an upset but has become convinced Horn can be a huge star in the sport.
‘‘If he did what was the ultimate for him – if he beat Manny – then he would be a worldwide figure,’’ Arum said.
‘‘But if he competed against Manny, gave Manny a hell of a fight, it would still help him because he’d be seen by a vast audience in the United States and around the world and people would realise what a talent he is.
‘‘Now I’m not saying that he’s going to beat Pacquiao. Could it happen? Yeah, but that would be sort of a stretch. He could beat him. But even if he didn’t, one thing I’m absolutely convinced of, that he’ll give a tremendous account of himself.
‘‘He’s that kind of kid; courageous kid, he’s not intimidated and he’s a breath of fresh air. You want kids like that, you want athletes like that in the sport you’re involved in.’’