MAY bagong international network partner si Manny Pacquiao matapos makipagayos ang Top Rank sa ESPN para ipalabas ang kanyang world welterweight title defense kontra Jeff Horn sa Hulyo 1 (Hulyo 2 sa Manila) sa Suncorp Stadium sa Brisbane, Australia.

Ipinahayag ang usapan sa report ni Dan Rafael ng ESPN nitong Lunes.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na lalaban si Pacquiao sa non-pay-per-view fight mula noong 2005 ngunit mapapanood ang laban ng live sa sports cable channel at ESPN Deportes at livestream sa ESPN App.

“Working with Top Rank on a match normally seen on pay-per-view is a significant moment for ESPN and for boxing fans.

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This fight, along with ESPN’s in-depth programming surrounding the fight, joins Wimbledon, Home Run Derby and the ESPYS in a stellar early July programming lineup,” sambit ni ESPN president John Skipper.

Tatayong ringside analyst ng ESPN sina Joe Tessitore, Teddy Atlas at Timothy Bradley, Jr.

“The world has followed amazing Manny since he burst onto the scene in his U.S. debut in 2001, where he knocked out Lehlo Ledwaba to win his second of a record eight division world titles. We are excited that ESPN will air this fight throughout the U.S. in both English and Spanish. It’s going to be an unbelievable event,” pahayag ni Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

“Manny Pacquiao has been one of the biggest global sports stars of his era, setting attendance and pay-per-view records for over the past decade. Now, as he defends his world title in front of yet another anticipated record crowd, he will be doing it to his biggest U.S. television audience on the world’s biggest and most prestigious sports network, ESPN,” ,” sambit naman ni Top Rank President Todd duBoef.

“To have ESPN, which has treated its viewers to NFL, [the] College Football Playoff and NBA playoff games, add Manny’s title fight to its roster is the biggest compliment one can give to Manny’s star power and a great gift to sports fans,” aniya.