Pacquiao camp brushes off Horn's weight problems

BRISBANE, Philippines – The camp of Manny Pacquiao is not letting news about Jeff Horn still being overweight alter their mindset heading into Sunday’s big fight.

Pacquiao’s assistant trainer and close buddy Buboy Fernandez said that Horn claiming to be way over the welterweight limit so close to the bout could just be a ploy to make the opposing camp feel overconfident.

“Ang labanan na ganyan, isa din yan sa strategy  (That’s part of strategy),” Fernandez told Filipino scribes Friday at the lobby of Sofitel Hotel here, a day before the official weigh-in for the WBO welterweight title fight.

“Sa tinagal tagal na natin sa larangan ng boxing, alam na natin yan (For the long time we’ve been in boxing, we already know that),” he added.

During an open workout Thursday, Horn bared that he still walks around at 70.3 kilos, or 155 pounds—eight pounds over the welterweight limit.

The 29-year-old challenger then said that making weight will be the last hurdle standing between him and the fight of his life.

While the Brisbane native is bugged by weight issues, it’s the other way around for Pacquiao, who, as usual, is expected to breeze past the scales.

The official weigh-in ceremony is set at 7 a.m. Saturday (Manila time) at the Suncorp Stadium, where the fight will also be held the next day.

Everything will go smoothly on their part, Fernandez assured.

“Nasa 145 (pounds) lang tayo, wala tayong problema sa timbang (Pacquiao’s at 145 pounds, we have no problem making weight),” Fernandez continued. “Wag natin intindhin kung overweight siya (Horn). So ang importante komportable tayo (Let’s not mind if Horn is overweight. What’s important is we’re comfortable).”

Asked if he prefers his buddy to get the action going right at the opening bell, Fernadez replied to the affirmative.

“Better kung saktan kaagad para malaman niya kaagad (It's better if Pacquiao hurts Horn early),” he said.