’Money’ on his mind as Pacquiao faces former teacher
BRISBANE, Australia: Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao faces unheralded Australian challenger Jeff Horn in Sunday’s world welterweight title fight in Brisbane in pursuit of a dream rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
The Pacquiao camp says it is anticipating a “short and sweet” win over the unbeaten Horn, a former school teacher and 2012 Australian Olympian, before an expected 50,000 crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
The eight-weight world champion, 38, one of the greatest fighters of his generation, is an overwhelming favorite to improve on his fabulous career record of 59 wins, six losses and two draws at the expense of Horn (16-0-1).
It is revealing that the Pacquiao camp has already spoken of setting up another showdown with the unbeaten ‘Money’ Mayweather, who outpointed ‘PacMan’ in the “Fight of the Century” two years ago.
“We’re chasing a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and we know he has to score a spectacular knockout win over Jeff Horn if that’s going to happen,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said.
“I’m looking for a big win in Brisbane so we can go on to bigger and better things.
“I’ve been looking for a big knockout from him for a long time now and I think you’re going to see it in this fight.”
While Pacquiao has been respectful toward his relatively novice Aussie opponent, members of his entourage have talked dismissively of Horn’s chances of causing one of boxing’s greatest upsets.
“Manny is one of the greats and Jeff Horn is in a different league,” Pacquiao’s Australian strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune told reporters.
“If Manny puts his mind to it he destroys anybody in the world. He’s busted up some of the greats. Jeff Horn is the guy to knock out and we’re in the hurt business.”
Pacquiao has beaten some of the best — Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, Jesse Vargas — while 29-year-old Horn is stepping up in class substantially in the World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight.
“This guy (Horn) has nowhere near the experience at all. He hasn’t walked out in front of 50,000 people, ever,” Fortune said.
“Nerves take a lot out of you when you fight. Manny’s done it, he’s used to it, it’s no big deal. Jeff’s not. I don’t think they’ve realized that.”
Pacquiao, who is also a senator in the Philippines, regained the welterweight world title belt he lost to Mayweather when he knocked Vargas down in the second round and cruised to a unanimous decision in November.
He will be making his first defense against Horn after a big-money fight with British boxer Amir Khan in the United Arab Emirates fell through earlier this year.