Horn starts training for Pacquiao rematch

MANILA, Philippines – Jeff Horn is hell-bent on soundly defeating Manny Pacquiao that he has started training even though their planned rematch is yet to be finalized.

A report by Phil Lutton of the Sydney Morning Herald said Horn hit the gym the other day to get in shape in case his second fight with Pacquiao gets set in stone.

The 29-year-old Horn pulled off the biggest win of his career when he dethroned Pacquiao to become the new WBO welterweight champion last July 2, in front of his countrymen in his home city of Brisbane, Australia.

The fight was not without controversy though, as there were some doubts over Horn’s unanimous decision victory over the Filipino icon, who on the contrary claimed he did just enough to win.

Now, Horn is determined to beat Pacquiao more convincingly in case they meet for the second time around, which is likely before the year ends.

"I'm happy for a rematch, especially after all the flak I received before the second scoring came out. Now it's out, I still receive people saying I didn't win. I'm willing to prove it again and beat him for the second time," Horn, a licensed schoolteacher, told the Australian newspaper.

Pacquiao is reportedly keen on getting back at Horn, with Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum looking at staging the rematch in November either in Brisbane again, Sydney or Melbourne.

The fighting senator previously said he is not retiring yet and wants to exercise the rematch clause he had when he signed on to fight Horn at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Arum, meanwhile, said the other day that he is still figuring out the exact date for Pacquiao-Horn, taking into consideration Pacquiao’s schedule in the Senate.

Horn, for his part, is making sure he is physically ready the moment everything is finalized.

"I'm still proving a point. I've got to make sure I train just as hard. I never say I want a knockout but it's always easier if the fight ends before the 12th round," he added.

Horn, who took Pacquiao’s best shots and had success using his size to force the defending champion to the ropes during their 12-round bout, believes he can top his performance in the rematch.

"I can improve a lot more from where I have been in the past. I think I did well in the last fight, I'll do better the second time. I've done it before, I know what I have to do to try hard and do it again. I know I can push through to more levels," said Horn.