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Home » Exclusive: Jeff Horn expecting to face Manny Pacquiao next, discusses victory controversy

Exclusive: Jeff Horn expecting to face Manny Pacquiao next, discusses victory controversy

‘The Hornet’ faced questions over his first title win when the judges carded in his favour at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last month, although Horn himself believes controversy was always on the cards.

“I’m not surprised (about the hysteria after the win). I thought that would always happen if I managed to beat him without knocking him out. I will just have to keep proving myself in the future,” Horn exclusively told World Boxing News.

Asked if he’d had a chance to run the rule over the decision since, Horn answered: “I have watched the fight back. I didn’t score it, but I’m comfortable that I won the fight.

“My corner felt I was clearly winning most of the early rounds, and even in some of the close rounds, I was the aggressor, repeatedly attacking, and driving Manny onto the ropes.

“My trainer, Glenn Rushton, told me whilst waiting for the decision that he was confident we had won by a couple of points, which is in line with the majority of judges, and the WBO recount.”

Horn is in line for another career-best payday as talk shifts to a potential November rematch with Pacquiao, which at the moment is the only fight on the horizon for the 29 year-old former school teacher.

“Yes, most likely that fight happens next. I do believe Pacquiao will want to redeem himself by trying to beat me. I have heard that he intends repeating round nine (where he almost scored a stoppage) early in the fight,” said Horn.

Pacquiao was rumoured to be considering retirement on the back of his seventh loss, although will be aiming to avenge his reverse in a similar manner to that of a previous defeat to Timothy Bradley.

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay