Pacquiao lands Down Under, tells Horn to be ready

[April 24, 2017]  (Reuters) - Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao concedes his next opponent Jeff Horn is a bit of an unknown quantity but has told the Australian he needs to be in peak condition to make sure their WBO welterweight title fight pleases fight fans Down Under.

Pacquiao made a low-key entry to Australia on Monday, touching down at Brisbane airport for a promotional tour for their July 2 bout at Lang Park and speaking briefly to reporters before being whisked away by handlers.

"I don't know much about him, but I know he's a fighter," Pacquiao told local media.

"I haven't watched his fights yet, but I'm going to get his last three fights and watch it.

"My message for him is to work hard, and make sure you're 100 percent conditioned on July 2 so we can give a good fight, we can entertain people."

The fight against Horn (16-0-1) will be the 38-year-old Pacquiao's first since his unanimous decision victory for the title over American Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas last November.

Pacquiao had previously agreed to an April fight against Briton Amir Khan in the United Arab Emirates but his promoter Bob Arum said last month it had been postponed after the $38 million offer for the bout failed to materialize.

The Horn-Pacquiao fight is eagerly anticipated in Australia and will be the biggest boxing event held in the country in decades.

Organizers expect a crowd of over 50,000 to cram into Lang Park, which regularly hosts domestic and international rugby and soccer matches.

Dean Lonergan, a director at promoter Duco Events, hoped the bout would revitalise boxing in Australia.

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines celebrates after defeating Jessie Vargas of Las Vegas to become WBO welterweight champion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., November 5, 2016. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/L.E. Baskow

"It's been in the doldrums for some time," Lonergan said in comments published by state media ABC.

"I think you'll find this will be the biggest fight in Australian history and you'll see the underdog (Horn) come through, and there's nothing like Australians supporting their own guys when they're underdogs."

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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