BRISBANE, Australia – A smashing win, wherein defending champion Manny Pacquiao leaves challenger Jeff Horn either in a pile of mess of being rescued by the referee at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, is the one thing that Buboy Fernandez wants from his long-time friend.
“If he can land early and get the job done even in one round, the better,” Fernandez said as he was having his cigarette break at Sofitel Brisbane CBD on Friday.
Fernandez’s perspective is aimed at resuscitating Pacquiao’s sagging popularity following a string of non-KO wins against mid-level opposition.
“If he can score a big knockout this time, his popularity will again soar,” said the long-time training assistant of Freddie Roach.
After being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012, Pacquiao took on a bevy of lesser lights with the exception of Floyd Mayweather in 2015.
The last time he was in the ring, Pacquiao faced and beat Jessie Vargas last November in Las Vegas. Prior to that, Pacquiao dominated Tim Bradley.
“If he does that, a November fight in the US will be waiting for him where his purse will be bigger,” said Fernandez.
The Australian media has reported that Pacquiao is to earn AU$10 million for defending the World Boxing Organization welterweight title for the first time.
Fernandez feels Pacquiao has realized that he has to post a victory so sensational that an ordinary performance, albeit a winning one at that, will further tarnish his image as a box-office hit.
Horn, younger and bigger but relatively inexperienced, seems suited to make Pacquiao look sensational.
