By Steve Kim
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum recently returned back from Australia, where a press tour was conducted for the July 2nd [July 1 in Australia] bout between WBO welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao and undefeated 2012 Olympian Jeff Horn.
According to the veteran promoter, this event has been well-received 'Down Under'.
"Tremendous, absolutely tremendous, never seen anything like it, really,"Arum told BoxingScene.com in a recent interview. "The whole country is engaged in it. The ticket sales have been absolutely enormous. It's trending towards a sell-out which will be around 55,000 and I'm sure that we'll be up around past 40,000 by next week and on our way to a complete sell-out."
A Pacquiao-Horn fight, while garnering very little interest in the States, is a huge event in Australia. The bout will be staged at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
"Horn has resonated with the public in Australia. I think Pacquiao is an icon. The reception that they gave Pacquiao was unbelievable and Pacquiao appeals to the Australians because of his humble nature and they fell in love with him. I just think it's the perfect storm as far as the opponent for Manny Pacquiao. And remember there's 250,000 Filipino's how live in Australia," pointed out Arum.
Who then explained - "The government in Queensland is making it a huge, huge event. The cooperation has been enormous. I met with the minister of tourism, the mayor of Brisbane, they are extraordinarily cooperative and really behind it. It's not just lip service, they are really behind it."
Arum says that there will be a deal announced for this fight to be broadcast in America but would not reveal further details.
Should Pacquiao come away with a win and without injury, the Filipino boxer would like to have another fight before the year is out.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.