IKINAGALIT ni Aussie boxer Jeff Horn ang pagmaliit sa kanya ng kampo ni WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao kaya nangako siyang maghihiganti at patutulugin ang Pilipino world champion sa kanilang sagupaan sa Hulyo 2 sa Suncorp Stadium sa Brisbane, Australia.
Hindi natuloy ang orihinal na petsa ng laban sa Mayo matapos maengganyo ang Pinoy boxer sa mega-dollar deal na alok ng mga promoter sa United Arab Emirates laban kay Briton Amir Khan na pumalpak kalaunan.
Nagsalita ang tagapayo ni Pacquiao na si Canadian Michael Koncz na patutulugin kaagad ni Pacquiao si Horn para maghanda sa laban kay Khan sa Nobyembre at ito ang ikinagalit ng 29-anyos na dating guro at London Olympian.
“Pacquiao and his managers sound a bit confident and cocky,” sabi ni Horn sa BoxingScene.com. “It’s like ‘we will just take this fight, come to Brisbane, knock over Jeff Horn, make their millions and go do the Khan fight. I hope he keeps feeling that way.”
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“It has been frustrating but I knew how big this fight would be if we actually landed it,” diin ni Horn na umaming nagpatuloy sa pagsasanay kahit inetsapuwera siya ng Team Pacquiao.
“So I had to be patient, keep training and battling along so I could get that potential shot. The Middle East fight (against Khan) was heartbreaking at the time (it was mooted) but now it is finally here I am so excited.”
Iginiit ni Horn na hindi siya gaanong kilala pero sa pagkakataong ibinigay ni Pacquiao ay gusto niyang gulatin ang buong mundo para hindi na makalaban ang Pilipino kay Khan.
“Amir Khan is a big name even though he has been knocked out so many times. But this is my chance to make a name for myself,” dagdag ni Horn. “Usually I am pretty good in front of crowds but this might be a bit different, I might have to see a packed Suncorp Stadium to believe it. It’s more than a dream come true. I never thought Pacquiao would still be around when I got my world title shot. He is getting a bit older, I am still young. I am ready to take this shot and I am ready to take it off Pacquiao.”
May rekord si Pacquiao na 59-6-2 na may 38 pagwawagi sa knockouts samantalang si Horn ay may kartadang perpektong 16 panalo, isang tabla na may 11 panalo sa pamamagitan ng knockouts. (Gilbert Espeña)
