Manny Pacquiao's world title fight with Jeff Horn will be "short and sweet" with a knockout likely, his trainer warned, as his Australian challenger said he was "ready for war".
The Filipino, one of the greatest fighters of his generation, is widely tipped to triumph over the unbeaten Horn in front of an expected crowd of 50,000 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
"He [Manny] doesn't like to predict knockouts and so forth but I think it is going to be short and sweet," trainer Freddie Roach told reporters at a press conference ahead of the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Welterweight bout.
"I think it won't last too long and someone will get knocked out."
Roach on Tuesday suggested the fight was a stepping stone for the eight-weight champion to secure a rematch with American rival Floyd Mayweather Jr, who outpointed Pacquiao in the "Fight of the Century" two years ago.
Horn's camp hit back, with the former schoolteacher's promoters taking a dig at Pacquiao for spending most of the press conference looking at his mobile phone.
"Not only is Manny Pacquiao an eleven-time world champion ... he is also a world champion texter, because he never gets off his phone," Dean Lonergan said.
Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton accused Pacquiao's camp of underestimating his 29-year-old challenger and said the so-called "Battle of Brisbane" would become the "fight of the year".
"My vision for this fight is it will be a late stoppage. I think it is going to occur late in the fight after ... all of these rounds. I personally believe this will be the fight of the year," Rushton said.
"I do think Freddie and Manny are probably underestimating Jeff even though I know they say they are not because he is too experienced not to prepare properly.
"But I do think when they get out there, it's going to be so different. I think this will become Manny's toughest fight ... we've trained as hard as we've ever trained for this fight, so we're ready for war."
Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 knockouts) briefly retired last year before making a comeback to win the WBO Welterweight title against Jesse Vargas in November, as he juggles boxing with his duties as a senator in the Philippines.
* Agence France-Presse
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Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
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