Pacquiao vs Horn rematch in jeopardy; Promoter frustrated

MANILA, Philippines – Jeff Horn’s promoter is reportedly losing patience over the long wait to get Manny Pacquiao’s nod for the planned rematch with the young Australian.

Dean Lonergan of Duco Promotions, which promotes the 29-year-old Horn, said they are ready to move on and seek other opponents if they do not get confirmation from Pacquiao soon.

“To say he (Pacquiao)’s having second thoughts is pissing me off,” Lonergan, who said they have already booked the Pacquiao-Horn 2 venue for November 12, recently told The Daily Telegraph.

“If he carries on again, it would be my advice to move on and forget about him,” added the promoter.

Frustration from the camp of Horn, who shocked Pacquiao last month to become the new WBO welterweight champion, is mounting over the lack of commitment from the Filipino icon.

While Pacquiao has expressed keenness in another fight with Horn, there had been conflicting reports about where the bout will be held. Just last week, plans were bared about staging Pacquiao-Horn 2 in Manila, which caught everyone else — from Lonergan to Pacquiao’s longtime promoter Bob Arum — by surprise.

This prompted Duco to issue a statement detailing the timeline for the developments on the rematch negotiations.

“Two weeks ago Manny Pacquiao confirmed to Bob Arum of Top Rank that he wanted to exercise his option to rematch with Jeff Horn for the WBO world welterweight championship,” the statement said.

“November 12 was the date Pacquiao agreed to the rematch. Up until late this week that was the outcome Top Rank, DUCO promotions, TEQ and Brisbane marketing were working towards in good faith to achieve having the rematch in Brisbane late this week.

“When Bob Arum saw media reports out of the Philippines that representatives of Manny Pacquiao were trying to get the fight in Manila, Arum gave Manny Pacquiao until Saturday, August 26 to confirm that he would recommit to fighting in Brisbane.”

Saturday passed, yet Duco said there has been no word from Pacquiao.

“Pacquiao has yet to reconfirm and as such now has put the Horn rematch in jeopardy,” the statement continued.

“On that basis, Top Rank, DUCO promotions, Tourism Events Queensland and Brisbane marketing are now reassessing their options”

Meanwhile, Arum, who will reportedly fly to Manila soon to meet with Pacquiao and settle the score, earlier said it is impossible for the rematch to happen in the Philippines.

The veteran promoter stressed that they are contractually obliged to stage the bout again in Australia.