Thursday 5 January 2017 17:38, UK
Jeff Horn believes he can pull off the biggest victory in Australia's boxing history after being named as a potential opponent for Manny Pacquiao.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has admitted there is a 'good possibility' of Pacquiao facing Horn next and Suncorp Stadium in the Australian's home city of Brisbane is being considered as a venue.
Horn is the no 2 contender for the Filipino star's WBO welterweight belt and has welcomed the attention of Arum, who has close ties with his promoters Duco Events.
"I'm very excited to hear that Pacquiao is considering me as a possible fight," Horn exclusively told Sky Sports.
"Since Bob Arum has jumped on board, it's a move that we wanted to get, and he's pretty much pulling it straight away."
Horn extended his unbeaten record to 16 fights with a stoppage victory over Ali Funeka last month, in front of the watching Arum, and hopes to have earned a fight with Pacquiao in front of a large crowd in his home country.
"That would be absolutely amazing. I reckon they will pack out Suncorp Stadium," he said.
"It would be a massive event and bringing someone like Pacquiao to Australia, I think he would have heaps of support over here as well. It would just be a great show."
A former schoolteacher, the 28-year-old is full of respect for the multi-weight world champion, but insists he is capable of inflicting a famous defeat on the 'Pac Man'.
I think I've got the skills to upset him. If I land clean, I'll definitely bother him.
"I feel like my style will suit fighting Pacquiao," said Horn. "He's a good mover, he's a hard puncher, but he hasn't knocked out any welterweights any time soon, and I don't think he would be able to knock out me either, unless I ran into a big one of his.
"I think I've got the skills to upset him. If I land clean, I'll definitely bother him. The only tricky part is landing a clean shot on Pacquiao."
Duco Events director Dean Lonergan admits he is working hard to secure the Pacquiao fight for Horn.
"We will leave no stone unturned to make this fight happen in Australia," Lonergan told Sky Sports.
"Jeff Horn is the best Australian fighter in a generation. He deserves to be given the platform of a fight against the biggest active legend in world boxing.
"Manny Pacquiao versus Jeff Horn, if it can be made, will be the biggest fight in Australian boxing since Jack Johnson beat Tommy Burns in Rushcutters Bay."
You can hear more of an exclusive interview with Jeff Horn on next week's Toe 2 Toe podcast.
