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.
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