?BRING IT ON,? PACQUIAO DARES HORN
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
BRISBANE, Australia ? Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao declared he is prepared for anything that Jeff Horn will bring on the table when they square off on July 2 at Suncorp Stadium here.
Pacquiao will make his first title defense of the WBO Welterweight crown he snatched from undefeated Mexican-American boxer Jessie Vargas in November last year.
Horn bragged not only to dethrone but to retire Pacquiao during one of his media interviews.
Pacquiao, however, just shrugged off Horn?s bravado.
?This is not the first time I witnessed my rival displaying such kind of braggadocio. It?s easier said than done. All I can say is, not at this time. I will go back home with my crown,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said his punches, not his mouth, will do the talking on fight night.
?One great lesson I learned from boxing is ? never ever underestimate your opponent. That?s why I always train hard. I always take my opponent seriously,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao sparred for four rounds against Horn?s compatriot George Kambosos Jr. on Tuesday.
Justin Fortune, Pacquiao?s conditioning guru, said that was Pacquiao?s last sparring session.
?His light training, sort of tapering off, will continue until Thursday. We have already achieved our goal and we believe Manny Pacquiao is already 100 percent ready for his fight,? Fortune said.
Restituto ?Buboy? Fernandez, Pacquiao?s bosom buddy and assistant training coach, believed Horn is no match against Pacquiao?s speed and power.
?I reviewed Jeff Horn?s previous fights. He?s a sluggish fighter. Our Pinoy boxing icon is much faster and stronger. My own prediction is, Horn will go down in the 5th or 6th round,? Fernandez said.
Pacquiao, however, refused to make prediction.
The world?s eight-division boxing champion said ?If a knockout happens, then that is a bonus. I?ll just do my best to make the fans happy. If he decides to engage me in a brawl, then there might be a knockout.?
But Fernandez has doubts whether Horn would fight toe-to-toe.
?Once Horn feels the power of Manny Pacquiao?s punches, he would start to run around the ring. I?m just hoping he would be man enough to stand and fight to win the heart and admiration of his countrymen. It?s shameful to run away from the fight right in front of the home crowd,? Fernandez said.
Photo: Pacquiao arrives in Brisbane, Australia.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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