‘The Hornet’ controversially out-pointed Pacquaio in Brisbane earlier this month to put himself in the running for either a rematch or a high-profile clash with one of Bob Arum’s Top Rank welterweights.
Arum has first choice on Horn due a pre-fight deal with Duco Events, which would make an encounter with Khan highly unlikely but it didn’t stop the new world champion giving the Bolton man a hefty verbal jab on the one-time 140 pound ruler’s most touchy subject.
“Khan’s a brilliant boxer,’’ Horn told couriermail.com.au. “But everyone knows he’s chinny. If he gets hit on the chin he’s going to sleep.’’
On Horn’s victory over Pacquiao, which is still being talked about three weeks later, Arum himself stated it was just a case of the fine margins making a difference – handing the underdog a remarkable victory.
“I thought the fight was very, very close,” said Arum.
“I had it scored six rounds to six, and I thought Manny should have got a 10-8 round in the ninth round. I had Manny winning by one point. So if the judges have Horn winning seven rounds to five, you can’t argue with that.
“I had Manny winning the eleventh round and the judges had Horn winning the eleventh round, and that was the difference,” added the long-time promoter.
Horn v Pacquiao II is the favorite to take place this October or November back in the title holder’s home country, although there are some rumors the ‘Pacman’ could be the reason Juan Manuel Marquez has delayed his comeback by a couple of months.
A fifth instalment for Pacquiao against Marquez would be far more lucrative than covering further ground with Horn as the Filipino was knockout out cold by the Mexican in 2012.
Marquez has said his next fight will be his last giving Pacquiao only one final chance to avenge his crushing loss.
