Pacquiao vs. Horn Undercard: Schedule, Top Storylines Ahead of Main Event

Jeff Horn will go up against Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday as the Battle for Brisbane presents the hometown hero with the greatest opportunity of his career to date.

The Australian talent will defend a 16-0-1 while attempting to strip his opponent of the WBO welterweight title, and all the pressure rests with Pacquiao as he looks to beat what should be simple competition.

The Filipino fighter headlines a Brisbane card that hosts three title fights; Jerwin Ancajas will look to defend his IBF super flyweight crown belt against Teiru Kinoshita while Umar Salamov puts his IBO world light heavyweight championship on the line against Damien Hooper.

This weekend also presents a big opportunity for former Olympic star Michael Conlan, with the Irishman ready to meet Australian Jarrett Owen in just his third professional fixture.

We'll take a look at the Battle for Brisbane schedule and preview some of the evening's biggest storylines ahead of what promises to be a dazzling night Down Under.

Here's a look at the schedule for Saturday's card, per Jordan Davies of The Sun, complete with odds via OddsShark.com:

Manny Pacquiao (3-20) vs. Jeff Horn (6-1)

Jerwin Ancajas (3-50) vs. Teiru Kinoshita (7-1)

Umar Salamov (3-50) vs. Damien Hooper (8-1)

Michael Conlan (1-100) vs. Jarrett Owen (11-1)

Shane Mosley Jr. (17-25) vs. David Toussaint (11-10)

Jonel Dapidran (17-25) vs. Brent Dames (11-10)

Brock Jarvis (1-100) vs. Caem Rasmanudin (11-1)

The undercard is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. BST Sunday (9 p.m. ET Saturday), per CBSSports.com.

Pressure On Pacquiao 

Dealing with favourite status is nothing new to Pacquiao, who will have been the leading contender for the vast majority of his 67 professional fights, but he faces an almost unknown quantity in Horn this Sunday.

But Pac Man doesn't strike as the kind of fighter to underestimate his foe, and the Filipino icon suggested his preparation for the Battle of Brisbane hasn't seen him shirk that mindset this time around, per Box Nation:

The 38-year-old can seal a third successive victory if he manages to come out on top in Australia, and it looks likely to go the distance considering Pacquiao hasn't himself stopped a fight early in some eight years.

One can expect Sunday's showdown to be somewhat drawn-out, too, considering there's little to nothing in terms of bad blood between the two fighters, who exhibited an amicable relationship in the weigh-in, via iFL TV:

While Pacquiao may be an overwhelming favourite, it's important to note every veteran must slow eventually, and Horn will have no greater chance to make a dent on the top ranks than this, during the prime of his career.

Horn's Big Shot, Weight Advantage

The occasion itself will be of no major concern to Pacquiao, who has performed this ritual dozens of times in his day, but the magnitude of what lies ahead is something that may daunt his target, The Hornet.

Horn has never fought an opponent outside Australia and will be making an almighty leap in opposition pedigree when he gets in the ring with Pacquiao, as illustrated by ESPN's Dan Rafael:

One of the major talking points in the build-up to this bout was that 5'9" Horn, who has a four-inch height advantage on Pacquiao, has to cut more rigorously to make the welterweight limit.

Australian reporter Brent Read provided updated from the weigh-in on Saturday, and although Horn fell within the boundary, he's expected to be boxing several pounds heavier than his foe come fight time:

With height and weight running in his favour, Horn will have weapons to call upon provided Pac Man's speed doesn't prove overwhelming, which is a distinct possibility almost regardless of whom Pacquiao faces.

The odds will always run against the hometown favourite, meaning Horn's best chance at a result may be to push the tempo himself and use his power early on in the hopes of taking the clash by surprise.