Manila: Philippines’ tourism department is ready to sponsor the World Boxing Organisation’s welterweight rematch between Filipino boxing Many Pacquiao and Australian WBO champion Jeffrey Horn at the Philippine Arena, a 52,000-seater facility in Metro Manila’s suburban Bulacan, on December 9, sources said.
“The plan will definitely push through,” a tourism department source said.
He, however, did not reveal if there was an ongoing battle — between handlers in the Philippines and Australia — for the rights to hold the event or whether they would be open to holding the fight on December 9.
Duco Promotions, which handles Horn’s promotional rights, told the Sydney Morning Post earlier about the cancellation of the Pacquiao-Horn rematch on November 12, adding that Horn will defend his title with another fighter in Brisbane this year.
“Pacquiao is committed to fighting again in 2018 and a rematch with Horn for the WBO welterweight title,” Duco said.
Manila’s tourism department could also not confirm that managers have another sparring mate for Pacquiao in December in the Philippines.
Earlier, on August 22, Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo revealed, “We have talked with Congressman Eric Pineda. He was asking us if we could sponsor the Pacquiao fight this coming December. We’re working on it.”
Pineda, Pacquiao’s business manager, is also a member of I-PACMAN, a sectoral party with a seat at the House of Representatives.
The proposed Pacquiao-Horn bout was scheduled on December 9, eight days ahead of Pacquiao’s 39th birthday on December 17. An agreement with MP Productions was already sealed, Teo announced, adding her office will raise funds from sponsors and vowed to sell high-end and affordable tickets for the event. Horn turned 29 last February.
Pacquiao wanted to hold the rematch with Horn in the Philippines, Pineda also said.
Tourism assistant secretary for public affairs and communications Frederick M. Alegre likewise confirmed that Pineda’s group is ready to promote the event in September, adding the boxing rematch will be part of the tourism department’s ‘Bring Home a Friend’ campaign that seeks to attract seven million tourist arrivals in the Philippines from 2017 to 2018.
Horn became WBO welterweight champion in a unanimous decision of his 12-round fight with Pacquiao at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last July 2.
When the Philippines’ Games and Amusement Board called for a review, WBO agreed to re-score with other judges who found that Horn won in seven rounds and Pacquiao in five rounds.
Bob Arum, Top Rank chief executive, had arranged the first Pacquiao-Horn match in Brisbane after an agreement with Duco Events.
The international Filipino boxing superstar’s only event held in Metro Manila was at the Araneta Coliseum (in suburban Quezon City), where he beat boxer Oscar Larios on points on July 2, 2006.
After 22 years on the ring, Pacquiao has risen as the world’s only eight-weight division titlist. He was elected congressman — starting 2010 before becoming a senator in 2016.
