In an official press conference in Brisbane earlier, WBO world welterweight champion, Jeff Horn, publicly declared his intentions to defend his title against Londoner Gary Corcoran on December 13.
Horn stunned eight-weight world champ Manny Pacquiao to win the title in a unanimous 12-round points decision in July, with the Filipino great pulling out of a planned rematch later this year to concentrate on his political duties.
Pac-man's withdrawal opened the door to Corcoran, a two-weight WBO Inter-Continental champion, with the bout set for December 13 in Brisbane as part of a two-fight deal inked with the Queensland state government.
The Hornet said at the presser, "I'm going to have my first defense here in Brisbane again. It's going to be a very entertaining fight. Gary comes to fight, he's a walk forward fighter; for that reason I think it's going to be a big clash, an all-action fight.
“Corcoran is 26, so he’s three years younger than me – he’s very fit, strong and hungry,” Horn told the Brisbane Courier. “He’s a dangerous guy. I know what it’s like to be a determined underdog just like he is going into this fight."
The pair share a very similar record – Horn with 17 victories and one draw, Corcoran with the same number of wins and one loss.
The challenger from Wembley said, "I think I'd be a very good opponent for him because it'll be an all-action fight. I really do think I can beat him. In this country, I spar with the best fighters and I stay with them."
If Horn wins, he then hopes to fight mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, who made his boxing debut in a money-spinning defeat to Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas in August.