Horn wants to show Pacquiao win was no fluke

Jeff Horn’s reward for a successful first title defense since a contentious win over Manny Pacquiao could be a bout with Terence Crawford.

A failure could send him back into boxing obscurity.

Horn wants to use his WBO welterweight title defense against Gary Corcoran on Wednesday to dispel any notion that he got a hometown decision against Pacquiao in Brisbane last July. If he gets his way, it could set him up for a big 2018.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum attended Tuesday’s weigh-in and said a win here “will lead to mas- sive fights coming next year.”

“I think Pacquiao is going to return to the ring. Terence Crawford will be the mandatory for this fight. The biggest building in Las Vegas is on hold for this fight,” Arum said. “Going to have a tremendous year in the welterweight division and these two participants ... will be giving it their all to see who will go ahead as part of these major programs that will take place next year.”

Horn, now unbeaten in 18 bouts, knows what it’s like to be given no chance of beating the champion, so he is trying to think only about Corcoran at the Brisbane Convention Centre. That’s not far from where he beat Pacquiao in front of more than 51,000 fans in an outdoor bout at a regular rugby venue.

“I’ve got until after this fight to start having discussions,” he said. “He’s definitely a possibility if I can manage to get through Gary first.”