Pacquiao ( 59-6-2, 38 KOs), and Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs) are set to collide on July 2 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. At stake is Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title.
In the accompanying video on the KO highlights of Pacquiao and Horn, the disparity is so evident that anyone can make his own judgement on the possible outcome of the fight. Click here to view their KO highlights.
But in boxing no one can really tell who will emerge winner until the fight is over. Considering the disparity between their KO wins, it is fair to say that Horn’s only chance is by way of a lucky punch similar to the one pulled off by Juan Manuel Maquez over Pacquiao in 2012.
Still, Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton is confident Horn can do what Marquez did to Pacquiao in 2012 in which Pacquiao lost by KO with just about a second before the end of the sixth round.
Horn, who is unbeaten as a pro, is a great and promising boxer. But his credential is dwarfed by Pacquiao’s 22-year boxing career with 67 fights to his credit against Horn’s 17 fights as a pro.
“I believe Jeff can do what Marquez has done and actually do it a little bit better. The skill that Marquez used against Manny has been successful,” said Rushton. “I believe Jeff Horn has those abilities but he’s slightly bigger than Marquez and a little bit faster and just a little bit more technically proficient.” said Rushton, who deserves credit for Horn’s 15-fight winning streak. Read more.
Meanwhile, Rushton has enlisted Filipino title challenger Czar Amonsot to be Horn’s sparring partner while Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach has availed the services of Sidney-native George Kombosos to spar Pacquiao in his General Santos City Gym until their departure for Brisbane on June 24 for Pacquiao’s final phase of training.
