Manny Pacquiao vs. Jeff Horn Fight to Air on ESPN July 1

Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2) will next step in the ring against Jeff Horn (16-0-1) in Brisbane, Australia, on July 2 locally, and July 1 in the United States.

On Monday, it was officially announced that the fight will air on ESPN rather than on pay-per-view.

"Working with Top Rank on a match normally seen on pay-per-view is a significant moment for ESPN and for boxing fans," ESPN president John Skipper said, per Dan Rafael of ESPN.com. "This fight, along with ESPN's in-depth programming surrounding the fight, joins Wimbledon, Home Run Derby and the ESPYS in a stellar early July programming lineup."

Pac-Man will defend his welterweight world title in the bout.

"The world has followed amazing Manny since he burst onto the scene in his U.S. debut in 2001, where he knocked out Lehlo Ledwaba to win his second of a record eight division world titles," Arum said. "We are excited that ESPN will air this fight throughout the U.S. in both English and Spanish. It's going to be an unbelievable event."

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times noted there was an initial push from Pacquiao and his manager, Michael Koncz, to fight Amir Khan, but there was never a financial agreement put in place. Promoter Bob Arum did grant a fight against Khan could still happen in November.

Pacquiao will have to deal with a home crowd for Horn, who was an Australian Olympian in 2012.

Arum discussed Horn matching up with the Philippine native, per Rafael, "He's a good fighter. Does he beat Manny? Probably not, but he's going to give him a good fight. He has a very pleasing personality."

While Pacquiao famously lost to Floyd Mayweather in a long-awaited clash in 2015, he has returned from a brief retirement and handled Jessie Vargas with relative ease in November.

The 38-year-old, who is the only eight-division world titleholder, will look to replicate that form in July against Horn.