Advertisement

Jeff Horn fans turn out in Brisbane to hail victory over Manny Pacquiao

WBO World Welterweight Champion Jeff Horn is honoured in a ticker tape parade in Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, on Thursday

WBO World Welterweight Champion Jeff Horn is honoured in a ticker tape parade in Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, on Thursday Photo: AAP

Thousands of people have lined Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall to celebrate Jeff Horn’s welterweight boxing title in a ticker tape parade.

Horn, a little-known fighter until this year, shocked the boxing world when he defeated Philippines veteran Manny Pacquiao to claim the title at Lang Park on Sunday.

The parade began at noon at Edward Street, before snaking through the mall and ending at Reddacliff Place.

Horn signed autographs, posed for photos with fans and took his place in a vintage sports car as the parade began.

Thousands of people lined the mall, throwing streamers and cheering the champion.

Chants of “Hornet! Hornet!” broke out among the crowd.

The 29-year-old received the keys to the city from Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, who happens to be his second cousin.

Horn thanked the cheering crowd for the support.

“This is unbelievable, just like in the stadium where I had 51,000 or so there and millions around the world watching and … all I knew is I this support behind me,” he said.

“Australians stick together. Even better, Queenslanders, we never give up.”

Queenslanders chanted "Hornet! Hornet!" at a parade for boxer Jeff Horn

Queenslanders chanted “Hornet! Hornet!” at a parade for boxer Jeff Horn. Photo: AAP

The crowd then began cheering and chanting “Queenslander! Queenslander!”

“Thank you all for turning up and supporting me and my dreams and, as you can see, you never give up. I went through a tough Round 9, pushed hard through and we got there. We got that World Championship,” Horn told the crowd.

Horn said he always believed he was destined for greatness, but was not sure in what capacity.

“You’ve got to keep on pushing, keep on fighting,” he said.

Horn said he expected a rematch with Pacquiao later this year and hoped it would be in Queensland.

Geoff Doss, decked in a black and gold Horn shirt, said he was thrilled to see the new world champion.

“He’s just magic,” Mr Doss said.

“He’s someone we can all believe in.”

Horn also thanked the state government, the Brisbane City Council and his private sponsors for making the fight possible.

Jeff Horn honoured in a Brisbane parade on Thursday

“You’ve got to keep on pushing, keep on fighting,” Jeff Horn told the crowd. Photo: AAP

Young fans Bailey, Ethan and Hunter Jones were especially proud because they attend Horn’s old primary school.

The boys, who came with a handmade sign described the Brisbane fighter as a hero.

“I just chanted Jeff Horn, Jeff Horn when he went past,” Ethan said.

Horn said: “They’ve supported me for a long time now, and all of you guys, of course, everyone that has come and supported and congratulated me, gave me a thumbs-up, a wave, whatever it is, everything counts.”

The judges’ unanimous decision to award the fight to Horn on points drew criticism from some boxing fans, especially those from the United States and the Philippines.

Statistics showed Pacquiao landed significantly more punches during the bout.

Pacquiao, who is also a senator in his home country, said he accepted the judges’ verdict immediately after the fight.

But his stance has since changed, and he has now backed a call by the nation’s government for a review of the decision.

Jeff Horn won the July 2 fight against Filipino Manny Pacquiao during the WBO World Welterweight Title fight at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane

Jeff Horn won the July 2 fight against Manny Pacquiao to claim the WBO world welterweight title. Photo: AAP

-ABC

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.