The biggest fight in Australian history is LIVE and exclusive on Foxtel’s Main Event when former Queensland school teacher Jeff Horn challenges legendary world champion Manny Pacquiao next week in front of an expected sell-out crowd at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium..
For the 29-year-old Queenslander this decider at Brisbane’s “Cauldron” is a lifetime dream in front of a hometown crowd. The world’s number two ranked welterweight (WBO), and with just 17 professional fights under his belt, winning 16 and drawing one, Jeff “The Hornet” Horn will step into the ring with the chance to become Australia’s first ever World Welterweight Champion.
The countdown is on to July 2 for Jeff Horn. Preparing for his final 12-round sparring session against Filipino light welterweight Czar Amonsot – chosen as Horn’s sparring partner as he has a similar style to Pacquiao – he said: “I’ve been waiting for this moment since I became a boxer. Everything I’ve done has been focussed on becoming world champion.
“To have this opportunity in front of a huge home crowd is everything I could have hoped for. It’s up to me to make the most of it now. I’m here to win and that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Facing the young local in the other corner is the man who currently holds the title – one he has claimed three times (2016, 2014 and 2011) – Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao – widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time.
A sitting senator in the Philippines, Pacquiao is boxing’s first and only eight-division world champion. The now 38-year-old southpaw has amassed 11 titles in all and claimed the lineal championship in an incredible five divisions.
Ahead of the historic Pacquiao-Horn main event, July 2’s impressive card also features:
Bout 1: Shane Mosely Jr (USA) vs David Toussaint (ACT, AUS)
Middleweight | 8 x 3 minute rounds
Bout 2: Michael Conlan (IRELAND) vs Jarrett Owen (QLD, AUS)
Featherweight | 6 x 3 minute rounds
Bout 3 – Sub Main Event: Jerwin Ancajas (PHILIPPINES) vs Teiru Kinoshita (JAPAN)
Junior Bantamweight | 12 x 3 minute rounds
IBF World Junior Bantamweight Title
Bout 4 – Main Event: Manny Pacquiao (PHILIPPINES) vs Jeff Horn (QLD, AUS)
Welterweight | 12 x 3 minute rounds
WBO World Welterweight Title
The man who is synonymous with international boxing, celebrated American ring announcer Michael Buffer, will bring his famed catch phrase “Let’s get ready to rumble” to announce the main four fights.
Calling the card will be “the voice of boxing”, Colonel Bob Sheridan, the world’s leading boxing commentator who has called more than 10,000 fights, including epic bouts like “The Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, “The Thrilla in Manila”, the third and final match between Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975, and the infamous Mike Tyson ear bite fight with Evander Holyfield in 1997.
This massive day of exceptional boxing on Foxtel’s MAIN EVENT will be hosted by FOX FOOTY’s Gerard Whateley who will be joined by panellists FOX LEAGUE’s Paul Kent and former World Champion boxer Barry Michael, with Danny “The Green Machine” Green providing special commentary. Plus MAIN EVENT’s Ben Damon and Cody Kaye will take you behind-the-scenes and deep into the dressing rooms of Pacquiao and Horn respectively. FOX SPORTS’ Steve Crawley is executive producer.
Australia’s national anthem will be performed by Isaiah Firebrace, who recently represented Australia at Eurovision 2017, with the Philippines’ sung by musical theatre star Christine Allado.
Pacquiao vs Horn takes place on Sunday, July 2 at 11:00am and costs $59.95
LIVE and exclusive on Foxtel’s MAIN EVENT Channel 521
