With the recent Horn-Corcoran World Welterweight title fight proving popular for many venues, particularly in and around Brisbane, focus begins to shift to what punters can look forward to in the New Year.
This year’s major bouts included Horn’s shock win over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao as well as the Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor clash, plus a number of huge UFC clashes, so the bar has been set high, but Fox Sports Venues national pay-per-view manager, Japhy Duldig, told TheShout, he is looking forward to what 2018 will bring.
“Horn vs Hellraiser proved to be a highly entertaining fight with the challenger proving a tough test for the Champion Horn. After 11 bruising rounds Horn retained his title with the Corcoran corner throwing in the towel.
“This win sets up a big 2018 for Horn with future fights in Las Vegas on the cards, as well as, the potential for an all-Aussie superfight with Anthony Mundine.”
“Boxing in 2017 has been great for our customers and 2018 looks just as impressive with Jeff Horn taking on the world, a rumoured rematch with Canelo vs GGG, heavyweight titles with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, plus you never know if McGregor will step back in the boxing ring.”
Chief Operating Officer of Bayfield Hotels, Kaine Bayfield, also told TheShout that the group is looking forward to the coming bouts, including one that is close to home.
“We are looking forward to a few upcoming UFC bouts,” Bayfield said. “In particular, UFC 219 with Holm taking on Cyborg on New Year’s Eve and UFC 220 with Miocic vs Ngannou on 21 January.
“Then there is UFC 221 in Perth in February which sees Robert Whittaker, who is the brother-in-law of our Head Chef at the Light Brigade, fighting Luke Rockhold.”
Meanwhile Frank Golotta, Director of The Clayton Hotel in Melbourne, said that he will be looking to follow on from the success he saw with Mayweather-McGregor with more events in 2018.
“We did show the Mayweather vs McGregor match earlier this year which was huge for us, and showed me there is an appetite for it here in Clayton,” he said.
“There is a demand from our patrons so it is something we want to pursue next year showing all major matches and even test the waters with UFC.”
Following his win over the UK’s Gary Corcoran, Horn is eyeing possible big payday fights in the US, with a re-match against Pacquiao a possibility as well as a title clash against American Terence Crawford, rated by some as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, also looking likely.