The spotlight falls on reigning WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and challenger Jeff Horn, who will headline the “Battle of Brisbane,” scheduled on July 2 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
But the main event featuring the Philippines’ eight-division champion Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs) and unbeaten hometown boy Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs), who is out to make a name for himself, is not the only bout to watch out for.
Another Filipino champion in Jerwin Ancajas (25-1-1, 17 KOs) will put his IBF super flyweight title on the line against Japanese-Korean foe Teiru Kinoshita (25-1-1, 8 KOs) in the only other world title fight in the lineup.
READ: Ancajas to rely on speed, power vs Japanese foe
In the curtain raiser, 19-year-old Jonel Dapidran, Pacquiao’s cousin who holds a record of 8-1, 4 KOs, takes on Australian Brent Dames, who has only won five of his eight fights, in a six-round welterweight duel.
Four other Aussies are also looking to impress and bank on homecourt edge against separate opponents.
Dave Toussaint (10-0, 8 KOs) stakes his undefeated record against American Shane Mosley Jr. (10-1, 7 KOs), son of former four-time champion Shane, in the middleweight division.
In a light heavyweight clash, Damien Hooper (12-1-0, 8 KOs) faces Umar Salamov (19-0-0, 14 KO) of Russia for the vacant IBF Australasian title and the WBO International light heavyweight crown.
READ: Win over Kinoshita key to bigger fights for Ancajas
Up-and-coming Brock Jarvis, whose six of his first seven bouts ended in knockouts, will also see action against unblemished Indonesian Andika Sabu (12-0, 6 KOs) in the bantamweight class.
Featherweights Jarret Owen (5-4-3, 2 KOs) and Michael Conlan (2-0, 2 KOs) of Ireland tangle in a six-round bout.
The event is expected to kickoff at 7:00 a.m. (Manila time) with the Pacquiao-Horn showdown set for the opening bell at 11:45 a.m.
Visit Inquirer Sports’ The Pacquiao Files for news, features, and other multimedia content about Manny Pacquiao and his upcoming fights.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.