Manny Pacquiao Is Getting Back Into the Ring for the Last Time
The “Pac Man” sets up his final matches, the first with Jeff Horn.
Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao is set to fight little-known Australian Jeff Horn in a battle for the WBO welterweight title. Horn’s promoters, New Zealand company Duco Events, have been in the U.S. holding discussions with Top Rank Chief Executive Bob Arum — Pacquiao’s promoter and one of the most powerful figures in the sport. Agreeing to the terms, the fight will take place on April 23, but the venue has not been decided as of yet. There is a strong push for the fight to be held at Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia. However, United Arab Emirates and the USA remain options.
The 2012 Olympian Jeff Horn is undefeated after 17 professional fights, while Pacquiao is the WBO champion in that division and has a 59-6-2 record but has not knocked out an opponent since Miguel Cotto in 2009. Pacquiao recently won the World Boxing Organization belt over Jessie Vargas by unanimous decision on November 5 in Las Vegas. The Pacquiao vs. Horn fight will be one of a four-fight farewell world tour for Manny. Arum states:
“We plan to have Manny fight four times this year. We have an offer in Russia in July, another offer in Europe for September and in the U.S. against [unbeaten two-belt junior-welterweight champion] Terence Crawford in November or December. That will be Manny’s last fight.”
