‘Money’ Mayweather on his mind as Pacquiao faces former teacher Horn in Brisbane

Filipino ready for rematch providing he gets through Australian challenger

The Filipino faces unheralded Australian challenger Jeff Horn in Sunday’s world welterweight title fight in Brisbane in pursuit of a dream rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

‘Short and sweet’

Pacquiao’s camp says they are anticipating a "short and sweet" win over the unbeaten Horn, a former schoolteacher and 2012 Australian Olympian, before an expected 50,000 crowd at Suncorp Stadium. The eight-weight champion, 38, is an overwhelming favourite to improve on his career record of 59 wins, six losses and two draws at the expense of Horn (16-0-1).

Mayweather rematch

It is revealing that the Pacquiao camp has already spoken of setting up another showdown with the unbeaten "Money" Mayweather, who outpointed "Pac-Man" in the "Fight of the Century" two years ago. "We’re chasing a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and we know he has to score a spectacular knockout win over Jeff Horn if that’s going to happen," Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said.

Looking for a ‘big knockout’

Pacquiao (38 KOs) has not stopped an opponent since an 12th-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in 2009, and Roach said he wants Horn to be Pacquaio’s 39th victim. "I’m looking for a big win in Brisbane so we can go on to bigger and better things," he said. "I’ve been looking for a big knockout from him for a long time now and I think you’re going to see it in this fight."

First title defence

Pacquiao, who is also a senator in the Philippines, regained the WBO Welterweight title belt he lost to Mayweather when he knocked Jessie Vargas down in the second round and cruised to a unanimous decision in November. He will be making his first defence against Horn after a big-money fight with British boxer Amir Khan in the UAE fell through earlier this year.

‘Biggest mountain’

Horn stands to make huge money – reported at seven figures, easily the biggest of his career – if he can inflict only Pacquiao’s seventh defeat inside the ring. "Even though Pacquiao is the smaller man he’s the biggest mountain I’ve had to climb," Horn said.