Manny Pacquiao vows to leave Australia as world champion

BRISBANE // Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao arrived in Australia ahead of his title fight with Jeff Horn and declared: "I will be going home as world champion". The "Pac-Man" touched down in Brisbane late Saturday from Manila with a large entourage for his WBO Welterweight title defence at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next weekend. "In all my years of boxing, I have never been as motivated and fired up as this fight," he told reporters at the airport. "My team is very happy with my preparation. I am looking forward to this and I will be going home as world champion." READ MORE: Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 knockouts) is a clear favourite against Horn, although the Filipino has not stopped an opponent since his 12th round TKO of Miguel Cotto in 2009. The eight-weight champion has said he is using the bout as an opportunity to prove he remains a global force at the age of 38 as he juggles boxing with a full-time job as a senator in the Philippines. "I'm so thankful for this great opportunity to be here in Australia and fight here, and the warm welcome of the people here," Pacquiao said. "I think this is one of the biggest crowds that I'm going to fight to. I love the fans shouting and cheering for me, or for Horn. I like that, it's exciting." Pacquiao, who briefly retired early last year before making a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November, will need to be on song against the unbeaten Horn, who has won 16 of his 17 fights with one draw. A relatively unknown physical education teacher, the 29-year-old Australian has been dubbed the "fighting schoolteacher" by promoters, who say the 50,000-seat Suncorp Stadium is almost sold out. "I consider him a tough opponent," Pacquiao said. "I never underestimate my opponent. He's undefeated, he's young. I like aggressive fighters." * Agence France-Presse

Manny Pacquiao vows to leave Australia as world champion

Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao arrived in Australia ahead of his WBO Welterweight title defence with Jeff Horn and declared: "I will be going home as world champion".