By Edward Chaykovsky
Glenn Rushton, trainer for undefeated welterweight contender Jeff Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs), says the potential fight with Manny Pacquiao is a win-win for Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum.
There are ongoing negotiations to stage Pacquiao vs. Horn on April 23 [April 22 in the United States], from Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, is trying to finalize the fight with Dean Lonergan of Duco Events. Last month, Arum and Lonergan reached an agreement to co-promote Horn. Lonergan will be in Los Angeles on Tuesday to sit down with Arum, as they attempt to wrap things up for the April fight.
There are other venues in the running, but Horn is hoping that it lands in Suncorp. Arum was ringside last month in Auckland, when Horn stopped former champion Ali Funeka.
Horn’s trainer is confident is boxer will walk away with Pacquiao's WBO welterweight crown, but he doesn't view the bout as a big risk for Arum. Pacquiao, 38-years-old, is only his last year or two as a fighter. He actually retired after last April's trilogy win over Timothy Bradley, but then a few months later he announced his return and defeated Jessie Vargas to capture the WBO world title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
“If Jeff wins Bob Arum has a world champ with a lot of miles left in him – he has a great fighter for the next seven years who just beat a living legend. If Manny wins it’s business as usual. But I believe Jeff will win. He’s like a younger, stronger Pacquiao. He has the same deception in his moves, the angles, a very high work rate. They’re both hunters," Rushton told Courier Mail.
“It’s going to be a blistering fight. Two busy guys who can both bang and move really well.’’
