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Often qualified as a global icon, it is only fitting that full-time Filipino senator (and part-time welterweight titleholder)
Manny Pacquiao Fight will take his show on the road on Saturday against unbeaten
Jeff Horn in Australia.
Pacquiao Fight, 38, will
Jeff Horn fight for a pay-per-view for the first time since 2005 when he defends his WBO title in his opponent's backyard, Jeff Horn, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (ESPN, 9 pm).
The idea of fighting outside the United States in search of a bigger purse is not necessarily alien to
Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs), who traveled to Macao for wins over Brandon Rios and Chris Algieri in recent years. But Horn's choice (16-0-1, 11 KOs) as an opponent this time feels like a legitimate step in the class, especially given the 147-pound division load.
Horn, 29, has never fought outside Australia or New Zealand and lacks even one signature win that could have attracted his attention in the United States. But the opportunity is open for Horn to make an incredibly big statement, especially considering how much the public is expected to see Pacquiao returning to basic cable.
Here is how the fight card shakes in Australia
Pacquiao vs Horn
Pacquiao vs Horn Live
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Pacquiao vs Horn Live Online
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Pacquiao vs Horn Fight
Pacquiao vs Horn Live Fight
Pacquiao vs Horn Fight Card
Pacquiao vs Horn Boxing
Pacquiao vs Horn Live Boxing
Fight break, prediction
Despite pushing 40, Pacquiao has remarkably maintained a slippery and speedy level that has kept him at most pound-for-pound top 10 lists. Out of his decision loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2015 and his legendary rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez, he has largely dominated every opponent he has faced for a full decade.
Pacquiao is no longer the cyclone of six-punch combinations and relentless pressure that was so present during his first welterweight. But he is a much smarter pure boxer in his late 30s who controls the space very well and is much more aware of avoiding against photos.
Horn vs Pacquiao
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Horn vs Pacquiao Live Stream
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Pacquiao vs Horn HBO PPV
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Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn
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If the not announced Horn was already facing an uphill battle in terms of the disparity of talents at stake on Saturday, Pacquiao's turn to responsible boxing at the end of his career only eliminated the remaining tracks to the victory that Horn could have had.
Pacquiao's speed, on his own, will probably be enough to help him control the horn from the outside, especially combined with his sublime ability to land strokes from incredibly uncomfortable angles. And even if Horn was able to lure Pacquiao to a fight, chances are he would be outgunned anyway.
Pacquiao vs Horn
Pacquiao vs Horn Live
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Pacquiao vs Horn Fight
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Pacquiao vs Horn Boxing
Horn has a decent pop and a very aggressive style. Like Ricky Hatton, he tries to crowd and overwhelm opponents with volume, often with a right hand lead to catch them off guard. But his pension for aggression should come at a cost against Pacquiao considering how often Horn squares him when putting his feet before hitting.
Along with the advantages in pure talent, Pacquiao dwarves him in terms of experience. Wise style, Horn just might be the perfect sheet for Pacquiao to end his seven year knockout dryness. At least in theory.
Horn vs Pacquiao
Horn vs Pacquiao Live
Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn
Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn Live
Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn Live Stream
Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn Fight
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Pacquiao vs Horn Live Free
In the end, you can expect Horn to visit the canvas several times. However, Pacquiao's tendency to bring brave opponents to the final bell could only help Horn save face in his home country.
Pick: Pacquiao by unanimous decision.