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[av_heading heading=’ ‘Contract nixes Pac-Horn rematch anyplace else’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – A rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn in the Philippines cannot be, according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
A clause in the contract for the Brisbane fight on July 2 stated that any rematch should be held in any part of Australia, Arum stressed.
Horn defeated Pacquiao via a controversial unanimous decision – 115-113, 115-113, 117-111 – to capture the WBO welterweight belt, his first-ever world title.
“It’s (rematch in the Philippines) impossible because we have a contract that if there’s a rematch, it has to be in Australia,” Arum said in a statement. “Both fighters have signed that contract, and they are aware of that.”
Last week, Department of Tourism secretary Wanda Teo said Pacquiao’s camp approached her for help in bringing the rematch against Horn to the Philippine Arena.
Before that, Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced that the rematch will be held again at Suncorp Stadium, citing a negotiation with Pacquiao’s camp.
“If ever Manny (Pacquiao) wants to fight in the Philippines later this year, he must pick another opponent and not Jeff Horn,” the 85-year-old Arum added. “If he wants Horn, it (fight) has to be in Brisbane.”
During their first encounter, Horn turned the match into a brawl with headlocks, clinches, elbows to the head, and numerous head-butts.
The 29-year-old Horn kept his record unblemished 17-0-1, while the 38-year-old Pacquiao slipped to a 59-7-2 slate.
The divisive result prompted the Philippine games board to seek a review.
Of the five judges composing the WBO-created review panel, three ruled that Horn was the clear winner (115-113, 114-113, 114-113). One scored the fight for Pacquiao (114-113) while other saw it as a 114-all draw./PN
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