After previous speculation that Philippine world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's next fight would take place in the UAE – before that notion was quashed – his next scheduled fight appears set to be another once-rumoured affair.
Pacquiao is set to fight undefeated Jeff Horn on Horn’s home turf in Australia, Pacquiao’s camp claimed on Wednesday.
The announcement of the July bout ends months of speculation on who the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed “Pac-Man” would face next as he seeks to prolong a stellar career that saw him win world titles in eight different weight classes.
“We signed the Jeff Horn contract this morning. Fight is July 2 in Brisbane, Australia,” Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told AFP by text message.
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More: The UAE fight that was not
■ Editorial: We shouldn't be surprised Pacquiao-Khan 'super fight' failed to happen in UAE
■ Comment: Pacquiao in the UAE? Let's not count our chickens before they've hatched
■ From February: Pacquiao fuels Khan fight rumours with UAE still on the table to host
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Koncz said Pacquiao would be staking his World Boxing Organisation welterweight crown against Horn, 29.
He declined to say what the prize money would be.
Pacquiao’s American promoter Bob Arum had been originally pushing for the Filipino to face Horn in Australia but in a surprise development, Pacquiao and British boxer Amir Khan announced separately in February that they would fight on April 23.
But the deal spectacularly fell through with Arum describing the reported US$38 million (Dh139.5m) UAE fight to the Los Angeles Times as "pie in the sky".
After Horn, Koncz said he was still hoping to set up a Pacquiao fight with Khan in either the Middle East or the Philippines in October or November.
Pacquiao briefly retired early last year and then ran and won a seat in the Philippine senate.
But the retirement was short-lived as Pacquiao, who said he missed the ring, made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November.
* Agence France-Presse
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
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Cultural fiesta
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