Bad news for those awaiting a rematch for Manuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Jeff Horn because the much anticipated bout is not happening this November as expected.
During their first title match in July, Horn defeated Pacquiao in what boxing spectators believed as lopsided scoring by the judges, which cost Pacquiao the title. According to reports, Pacquiao initially agreed to the rematch clause, and the encounter is supposedly scheduled on 12 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
While boxing fans were awaiting announcements, the promoters were themselves in a quandary whether the rematch will ever take place as Pacquiao missed the 26 August deadline his promoter Bob Arum set for him to confirm. Philstar.com also reported that Pacquiao also took everyone by surprise by his pronouncement of having the rematch in Manila.
On 1 September, promoters in Australia made it official with an announcement that the Pacman will not push through with the fight as he was set to join the Philippine delegation to a trip in China right smack on his proposed preparation schedule for the fight, according to a report by Las Vegas Sun. However, local promoter Dean Lonergan said in the same story, “Pacquiao is committed to fighting again in 2018 and a rematch with Jeff Horn for the WBO world welterweight title.”
Philstar.com reports that Arum said they are bound by contract to do the rematch in Australia.
