By Vadim Pushkin

2012 Australian Olympian Jeff Horn is eager to secure WBO super featherweight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko, and undefeated Olympian Errol Spence, as sparring partners for the upcoming fight with WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao.

The 38-year-old Filipino’s camp announced last week in Manila that the “Pac-Man” would get into the ring with Horn on July 1 in Brisbane.

“Up to 55,000 boxing fans from across Australia and the world are expected to fill Suncorp Stadium (in Brisbane) to see the local teacher taking on one of the biggest names in boxing history, on his home turf,” stated Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, whose Government is helping to fund Pacquiao’s $10 million purse.

Pacquiao, who has parlayed his sporting fame into a career in politics, is a veteran of 67 fights with 59 victories. His record easily dwarfs that of Horn, 29, who hails from Queensland, who has notched up only 17 fights with 16 wins.

Horn’s promoter Duco Events described the bout as a “once in a lifetime event” and a “rare opportunity” to host a fight outside the US and Europe.

“This is truly a once in a generation opportunity, likely never to be repeated again,” the promoter said in a statement.

Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton is trying to secure Lomachenko, while Duco will attempt to get Spence - who is scheduled to face IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook in late May.

“I would dearly love to get Lomachenko to work with Jeff because like Pacquiao he is so fast and razor sharp,” said Rushton to Fox Sports.

“Pacquiao boxes with an intensity unlike most fighters but Lomachenko is a ring genius. I want guys who are lighter than Jeff (67kg) as sparring partners so they can simulate the same sort of speed and movement that has made Pacquiao such a star. Lomachenko would be much more suitable to prepare for Pacquiao than Errol Spence who is more of a power-puncher.”