Could Manny Pacquiao be fighting back in the Philippines for the first time in over a decade? (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Amid news of the confirmation of a rematch between Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and the last man to beat him, newly-crowned WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn, reports have surfaced that the championship do-over will be held in the Philippines.
According to a tweet from ABS-CBN anchor Zen Hernandez, Philippine Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo announced that the rematch will be happening here, and it will take place at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
JUST IN: DOT Sec Wanda Teo has announced that PH will be hosting #PacquiaoHorn rematch in December, venue will be at the Philippine Arena. pic.twitter.com/RDdUZNiwzx
— Zen Hernandez (@zenhernandez) August 22, 2017
Hernandez added that Teo and the DOT already have an agreement, and are looking at a date in December, close to Paqcuiao’s birthday.
When asked about Brisbane Mayor’s statement that match will be held in Brisbane, Teo said they already had an agreement with MP Productions.
— Zen Hernandez (@zenhernandez) August 22, 2017
DOT also already looking at a date for #PacquaioHorn rematch: December 9, a week before Senator Manny Pacquiao’s bday which is December 17.
— Zen Hernandez (@zenhernandez) August 22, 2017
Prior reports stated that the highly-anticipated rematch would take place in Australia, but nothing had been finalized yet.
Australia was the site for Pacquiao and Horn’s first encounter back in July, where Horn pulled off what many believe to be one of the biggest upsets in boxing, as he outpointed the then-reigning champion Pacquiao after a twelve-round affair.
Should the fight push through, it would be Pacquiao’s first fight back in the Philippines in over a decade, having last performed on Philippine soil back in 2006 against Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Philippine Arena is a near-52,000 seater stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan, and has played host to a number of sporting events including PBA games.
More News
Liu Gang, Brico Santig Join Forces
Highland’s Double Impact: August 18 at Lumpinee
Balajadia, Atencio in Action in Thailand