by Steve Kim
On July 1st in Brisbane, 2012 Australian Olympian Jeff Horn pulled off a huge upset by dethroning Manny Pacquiao over twelve hard-fought rounds to win the WBO welterweight title. Well, it looks like we'll be seeing chapter two between Pacquiao and Horn.
Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, informed BoxingScene.com that Pacquiao, 38-years-old, has decided to continue his career with a clear view on a second fight.
"Manny has the right to decide on a rematch and he's exercised that right and he wants the rematch," Arum said.
But first some logistical issues must be ironed out surrounding Pacquiao's political responsibilities.
"Now, the question is because of his senatorial duties we have to find a window where he can do the fight and train for the fight appropriately. So we can't use the schedule the Senate had last year because now the country is under martial law, "explained Arum. "So Manny is now working that out with the president of the Senate, the president of the country and we are going to be arriving at like a two-week window where we can schedule a fight with Horn."
The veteran promoter said the fight will take place sometime in November.
As for where the rematch would land, Arum stated - "It doesn't necessarily have to be in Australia but Australia has shown the most interest and the various provinces in Australia - which are like equivalent to our states - are indicating interest. I know Queensland wants to do the rematch where Brisbane is a part of and New South Wales, which is where Sydney is wants to do it and Victoria where Melbourne is. So we'll see but it looks like it will be in Australia."
So would ESPN televise the return bout as they did the original encounter?
"Of course," answered Arum, who then added, "I mean, it might be ABC. But it's the same thing."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
