DOT: Pacquiao vs. Horn rematch to be held in PHL

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Tuesday announced that the Philippines will host the rematch between Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and Australian Jeff Horn.

"Just this morning we had a talk with Congressman Eric Pineda and he was asking us if we could sponsor the Pacquiao fight this coming December... [We're looking at] 15th of December. So... a rematch. We are working on that. Isa rin 'yang... that will bring tourists to the Philippines," Teo said in a press conference.

Teo said the rematch will take place at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

NEWS: Sec Wanda Teo announces negotiations ongoing for Pacquiao-Horn rematch to be held in PHL Arena this year.

— Visit Philippines (@TourismPHL) August 22, 2017

Pacquiao and Horn met on July 2 this year in Brisbane Australia, where Horn defeated the Pambansang Kamao via a surprising unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.

Shortly after the match, both boxers expressed openness for a rematch.

The senator earlier said he would like his rematch with Horn to be held in the Philippines.

In an interview, Pacquiao confirmed that negotiations are ongoing for the fight to be held in the Philippines.

“Wino-work out pa ngayon. Hindi pa ma-announce fully dahil nagne-negotiate pa tayo pero kinakausap na. May mga willing tumulong, sumuportaat mag-finance para dito ganapin yung fight,” he told reporters.

“Maganda rito sa’tin. May mga consideration na pinaguusapan pero hindi muna natin ilabas,” Pacquiao said. — Additional reporting by Kaecee Alvarez/LA, GMA News