BRISBANE, Australia—Manny Pacquiao says his July 2 world title bout with Jeff Horn is his chance to tell the boxing world “I’m not done yet.”
The 38-year-old Pacquiao, an 11-time champion across eight weight divisions and now a member of the Philippines Senate, had intended the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world welterweight title fight in Brisbane with 29-year-old school teacher Horn to be a stepping-stone to a more lucrative bout with former welterweight world champion Amir Khan. But Pacquiao now says the bout gives him a chance to let the boxing world know he’s still at the top.
“I want to defend my crown and prove I am still there in boxing—I am not done yet in boxing,” Pacquiao told a news conference in Brisbane on Monday. “Despite my business in the office as a senator, I am still handling my boxing career. Boxing is my passion. I started when I was young—it’s part of my life.”
Pacquiao, who has a record 59-6-2, said he is still in shape and as good as ever.
“It depends on how you discipline yourself, how you train and prepare yourself,” he said. “It’s a matter of discipline.”
Horn had his first professional fight in 2013 and is 16-0-1 with 11 wins by knockout.
Hughie Fury, meanwhile, has pulled out of his world heavyweight title fight against WBO champion Joseph Parker because of injury.
The fight was set for May 6 in Auckland, New Zealand, and will now be rescheduled.
Fury’s promoter, Hennessy Sports, said in a statement released last Sunday that the British fighter has injured his lower back and has been advised by his physiotherapist to rest for “three to four weeks before resuming training.”
“Hughie has been declared medically unfit to box following a medical assessment,” the statement said.
“Understandably, Hughie is devastated by the injury, which has temporarily halted his dream of fighting for the world heavyweight title.”
Image credits: AP