PAC-MAN IS FIGHTING ON
MANNY PACQUIAO will fight Jeff Horn again later this year after vowing to fight on following his controversial loss in Brisbane.
The eight-weight world champion was red-hot favourite to retain his WBO welterweight title against the inexperienced Horn in front of 60,000 fans at the Suncorp Stadium.
But Horn, a former schoolteacher, proved a tougher foe on home soil than predicted and lasted the 12 rounds.
The Australian got the nod over the Pac-man with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113, much to the surprise of many at ringside.
Pacquiao (inset), who appeared to get the better of Horn for most of the gruelling clash, said: “I didn’t expect that. That’s the decision of the judges and I respect that. I will take the rematch, absolutely. We have a rematch clause so no problem.”
Horn, 29, said: “I’ve just believed since I was very young that I could do this.”
The rematch is likely to take place later this year at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua believes Joshua Buatsi has the ability to join him as a world champion after he stopped Carlos Mena inside two rounds on his pro debut. Heavyweight champion Joshua was ringside at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.
He saw Britain’s Rio bronze medallist Buatsi take four minutes and 19 seconds to win, putting Mena down three times.
Joshua said: “Buatsi has got a huge future ahead of him.”