Still no venue for April 23 showdown: Pacman-Horn title fight on

MANILA, Philippines – World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will stake his title against Australian Jeff Horn in April although promoters of the fight have yet to name the venue.

Bob Arum of Top Rank made the deal on behalf of Pacquiao in a meeting with Duco Events director Dean Lonergan, representing Horn, in Las Vegas yesterday.

The fight is set April 23 if it takes place in Australia or April 22 if it is held in the United States. There’s also a strong bid coming from the Middle East to host the fight.

Pacquiao will receive no less than $5 million to face Horn, a 28-year-old former schoolteacher and veteran of the 2012 London Olympics. As a pro, he’s undefeated in 17 fights with one draw and 11 knockouts.

“I have to meet with Pacquiao,” Arum told The STAR in a text message yesterday morning.

The meeting will have to take place soon, before or after the venue is chosen. Arum will fly to the Philippines to meet Pacquiao (59-6-2 with 38 knockouts) and put everything in black and white.

The fight should signal the start of Pacquiao’s farewell tour this year, with planned stops in Russia, England and the United States, the last one preferably against junior-welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

“We have not agreed to anything,” said Pacquiao ring adviser Mike Koncz told The STAR after reports of Horn landing the fight with the eight-division world champion and senator came out.

Just after Arum announced the fight, Horn held a press conference in Brisbane together with his manager and trainer Glenn Rushton.

A leading media outfit in Brisbane, The Courier Mail, posted a video of the press conference.

“It’s a big step but it’s a step I wanted to take. I’m going to try my best to show Manny that I’m not an easy fight,” he said, referring to the 38-year-old WBO welterweight champion.

There’s pressure, according to the younger and taller fighter, but he sounded confident about beating Pacquiao.

“I’m fighting a legend in the sport but I think I think I’m going to beat him. I think it’s cool. I’m very excited. I’m just super excited. It has surpassed my dreams already,” he said.

“He’s a smaller guy. I think my style is going to trouble him,” added Horn, ranked No. 2 by the WBO and IBF, No. 10 by the WBA and No. 13 by the WBC.

Rushton said it would be a “tragedy” if the fight does not take place in Brisbane or any other key city in Australia like Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney.

Leading contenders as fight venue are the 50,000-seat Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and the 56,000-seat Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Arum said if it’s Australia, he’s looking at a lunchtime fight so it could be aired prime time in the United States.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” he said, adding that Horn being pitted against Pacquiao is all part of their plan that began on the day the latter turned pro in 2013.

“This is not a surprise for me I’ve always believed strongly in Jeff’s abilities. It was a very lofty dream that we could do it (be world champion) in three years,” said Rushton in his strong Australian accent.

“One legend will go and another will be created when this fight takes place. This is absolutely a phenomenal event. It’s the biggest event in Australian boxing history,” he added.

However, Rushton said he wouldn’t be surprised either if the fight is staged somewhere else because Koncz said they’re still looking at the biggest opportunity for Pacquiao business-wise.

“It’s a business and we all understand that,” said Rushton.