IGINIIT ni Top Rank big boss Bob Arum na malaki ang posibilidad na ma-upset ni WBO No. 2 contender Jeff Horn si WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao sa Hulyo 2 sa Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Inaasahang dadagsa para saksihan ang laban nang mahigit 50,000 boxing fans.
Nagsimula na ang promotional tour nina Pacquiao at Horn na nagharap kahapon sa Brisbane bago tumuloy sa Sydney at Melbourne.
“Manny is going to be a fool if he’ll take Jeff Horn lightly,” sabi ni Arum sa Philboxing.com. “Horn has a chance of beating Manny. Horn is a strong big kid and he is also a skilled fighter although not the same as Manny. He (Horn) will be pumped up by the huge crowd behind him.”
Naniniwala si Arum na magpapahirap kay Pacquiao ang matibay na panga ni Horn na nasubukan nang mapabagsak ito ni dating IBF welterweight champion Randal Bailey sa 3rdround bago napatigil ng Aussie boxer ang Amerikano sa 7th round noong Abril 27, 2016 sa Brisbane para matamo ang WBO at IBF Inter-Continental welterweight crown.
Naniniwala rin si Arum na malaki ang tyansa ni Horn dahil sa taglay nitong husay sa counter-punching kaya napatulog sa 6th round si dating WBO at IBF lightweight champion Ali Funeka ng South Africa noong Disyembre 10, 2016 sa Auckland, New Zealand na pinanood mismo ng promoter.
“Manny can use his speed and (agility) to avoid punches and hit, that gives Manny a big advantage. But because Manny tends to be very aggressive offensively, he leaves himself open for a counter. Jeff, when I watched him, is a terrific counter-puncher. That’s going to be his strength,” dagdag ni Arum. “When Manny attacks, will Jeff be able to stand there, face Manny’s punch and hit Manny with a counter right? If he does, with what strength can he hit him and what effect will it have? That, to me, is the fight. Everything else is baloney.” (Gilbert Espeña)
