BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) — 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 favourite 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 ‘Pac-Man’ 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.’’