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Home » Pacquiao can afford no slip ups against Horn in Brisbane

Pacquiao can afford no slip ups against Horn in Brisbane

The eight-weight world champion insists that he is not overlooking his Australian foe as they gear up to face each other in front of a packed 55,000 fans at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this weekend, exclusively live on BoxNation.

“We have a really good plan for this fight. We worked hard in training camp both in Manila and in General Santos City,” said Pacquiao.

“I’m totally focused for this fight. I am not looking past Jeff Horn because at this point in my career, every fight is the most important. There are no tomorrows if I don’t win today,” he said.

Though 29-year-old Horn is relatively unknown his undefeated 16 win record has seen him work his way into a mandatory position for Pacquiao’s WBO world title.

Impressive names on his record include American Randall Bailey, with Filipino ace Pacquiao believing he has earned the right to fight him but is out to teach him a lesson or two.

“It is good to fight in a country that you haven’t fought in before and to give a chance to Jeff – he is undefeated and it is good to give him a chance. He has earned it. He is a mandatory challenger,” said Pacquiao.

“I know Jeff Horn used to be a teacher. In the ring, I’m a teacher too. I am ready for Jeff to come out and be aggressive. If he does that it will be a great fight for the fans,” he said.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach agrees with the 38-year-old ‘Fighter of the Decade’ and says Pacquiao is ready to impress in front of the largest crowd ever for a boxing event in Australia.

“One thing about Manny, we don’t take anyone lightly – Jeff is not that well known but he does have 16 wins and he has fought a couple of names out there, but we get ready for everyone and we are in great shape for this fight as we would be for anybody else in the world, “ said Roach.

“There is going to be a big crowd there and at the beginning they may be rooting against Manny Pacquiao but at the end of the fight everyone in the building will be on Manny’s side – everyone,” he insisted.

Irish Olympic hero Michael Conlan will also feature on the card in his third professional fight when he takes on Australian Jarrett Owen in a six-round featherweight contest.

The 25-year-old is delighted to be on Pacquiao’s undercard and will be looking to steal the show from one of his favourite fighters. “I’m honoured to fight on a Pacquiao undercard – it’s a special event.

He is one of my favourite fighters. I’m looking forward to seeing how I get on here on Pacquiao’s big show,” said Conlan.

Before the fights get underway in Australia, BoxNation will also be broadcasting the 12-round heavyweight contest between Russia’s Alexander Povetkin and Andriy Rudenko exclusively live from 4pm.

Both men have world title ambitions with BoxNation the only place to watch all the action unfold from the Russia Central Concert Hall in Moscow.

As part of this bumper weekend of boxing Sky TV customers can use the code PACMANFREE for free registration up until this Sunday midnight.

Pacquiao v Horn is exclusively live on BoxNation this Saturday night from 2am. Buy now at boxnation.com.