BRISK TICKET SALES ELATES PACQUIAO
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Jun 2017
MAKATI CITY ? World eight-division boxing champion and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight king Manny Pacquiao expressed gratitude to the Australians for supporting his upcoming fight with undefeated boxer Jeff Horn.
?I am elated by the support given by the Australian boxing fans to my upcoming fight. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of them,? Pacquiao said Saturday morning right after his early morning roadwork at Cambridge Circle inside the posh Forbes Park village here.
Kate Jones, Queensland's Minister for Tourism and Major Events, told the media that the Pacquiao-Horn fight had officially become the biggest boxing match ever in Australia.
Jones revealed that ticket sales for Pacquiao-Horn fight had already breached 40,000 this week with about a month more to go.
The bout will be held on July 2 in Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia.
Jones expressed optimism it is possible that attendance could potentially break the 55,000 Suncorp Stadium crowd come fight night.
?The chance to see our local hero take on one of the greatest boxers of all time is an opportunity too good to miss," Jones was quoted By USA Today as saying.
Jones, according to USA Today, said the Pacquiao-Horn fight ?will pump more than $23 million into local business and show off the best of Queensland to a massive global audience, with spectators from 150 countries expected to tune in."
The biggest boxing match ever recorded in Australia was 38,000, during the WBC super featherweight title bout between Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson versus Australian Jeff Fenech in Melbourne 25 years ago.
Azumah defeated Fenech in that bout.
Pacquiao, who wrested the WBO Welterweight crown from Mexican-American boxer Jessie Vargas via unanimous decision during their Las Vegas encounter in November last year, claimed that the support showed by the Australian fans has motivated him to work harder.
?I enjoy fighting amidst a big crowd. I respect my opponent and the Australian boxing fans but I am determined to defend and retain the title. I assure the fans this will gonna be an entertaining fight,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao revealed he already watched some of Horn?s fight, adding ?I have already figured out his style. But I am not underestimating him as a boxer.?
?I expect him to fight toe-to-toe. If that happens, then the boxing fans can expect an exciting and entertaining boxing match,? Pacquiao said.
Horn (16-1, 11 KOs), who is coming off a technical knockout victory against Ali Funeka in December in New Zealand, is nine years younger than Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs).
But for the Filipino boxing hero, age is nothing but just a number. He believes he is still in his prime as a prizefighter.
?I?m a disciplined man and I work hard during the training camp. You know my mantra ? train hard, fight easy,? Pacquiao stated.
Pacquiao is set to fly to General Santos City on Sunday to be with his family.
Senate took a break last May 31 and it will resume session on July 24 in time for President Duterte?s State-of-the-Nation Address (Sona).
Pacquiao will train in Gensan from June 5 to June 24, his tentative date of departure for Australia.
Team Pacquiao will implement a stricter policy during Pacquiao?s road run and training at the gym.
Team Pacquiao will also implement curfew hour for visiting clients, fans and politicians especially during the night.
Curfew will start at 10:00 p.m. to give the Filipino boxing idol an eight-hour sleep in preparation for his more rigorous training in Gensan.
Filipino senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao works out at his Forbes Park Residence in Makati, Philippines ahead of his WBO welterweight defense against Jeff Horn of Australia on July 2 in Brisbane.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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