Manny to use hit-and-run vs Aussie

MANILA, Philippines -  Manny Pacquiao will employ a hit-and-run tactic against Australian challenger Jeff Horn at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 2.

“Manny will train and do the best he can and hopefully we get the fight over with very quickly,” Mike Konz, Pacquiao’s personal adviser told Fox Sports Australia yesterday.

According to Koncz, Pacquiao has no plans staying any minute longer Down Under.

Koncz said the plan is to dispose of the 29-year-old Australian as fast as he could, “(then) we get out of there, we say hi to the Australian fans and media and come home.”

Pacquiao’s first fight of the year after beating American Jessie Vargas last November was sealed the other day after many weeks of speculations.

Koncz said Pacquiao signed the fight contract after they failed to seal the fight they had wanted more, a clash with British star Amir Khan that would have taken place in the United Arab Emirates.

Koncz cited Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, as the reason why they couldn’t get the fight with Khan, a practicing Muslim who traces his roots to Pakistan, they had wanted for May 20.

But Koncz said all is not lost on the Khan fight, which is more appealing to boxing fans than the one against Horn, undefeated in 17 fights (16-0-1).

“We signed it, so yeah, we’re excited about it. But again, my preference was to fight Amir Khan.  That didn’t work out. We had this on the table so we decided to take it,” said Koncz, now eyeing October or November for the Khan fight either in the UAE or the Philippines.

Early this year, the 38-year-old Pacquiao ran a poll among his followers on social media, on whom they prefer as the next opponent for the Filipino senator.

Khan’s name came out on top, with 48 percent of the more than 44,000 votes, followed by Kell Brook (24 percent), Terence Crawford (21 percent) and Horn with a measly seven percent.

“Frankly and honestly, and nothing against Jeff Horn – I’ve never met the kid, I don’t know him personally – but the name recognition is I guess why the fans picked Amir Khan,” Koncz also told Fox Sports Australia.

Pacquiao has enough time to prepare for his title defense against Horn, and according to his promoter, Bob Arum, the Filipino superstar will soon visit Down Under to help drum up the fight, the biggest in Australian boxing history.