Jeff Horn retains belt in stunning victory against Gary Corcoran

Jeff Horn has cemented his place as one of the world’s top boxers following a convincing win over English challenger Gary Corcoran in the Battle of Brisbane 2.

Horn, who won the WBO World Welterweight Title by beating Manny Pacquiao in the Battle of Brisbane 1 in July, retained his belt by beating Corcoran by technical knockout in the 11th round in front of around 6500 people at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Horn – a school teacher from Acacia Ridge – had again done Queensland proud.

“We’re proud to have again backed Jeff Horn, not only because he is an immensely talented sportsman but because he’s a humble, hometown hero who all of Australia can be proud of,” she said.

“While the first Battle of Brisbane was an unbelievable event, the second was just as exciting because it represented the first time an Australian boxer had defended the WBO World Welterweight Championship on Australian shores.

“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre was the perfect host for the fight and the partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing is something that continues to pay off for Queensland.

“This Jeff Horn fight once again provided a boom for tourism in Queensland, with a strong contingent of fans travelling to Brisbane not only to see the fight but to stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and enjoy the best of what we have to offer.”

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said Horn’s victory capped off a massive sporting year in Queensland.

“Jeff now has the opportunity to go overseas and defend his belt, possibly in Las Vegas, but he knows Queensland will always be his home and we’ll support him all the way,” she said.

“This has been a year where Queensland has enhanced its reputation as a world-class events destination by not only hosting top-class fights but the Rugby League World Cup, Bledisloe Cup, the fist Ashes Test, the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens, the Gold Coast Marathon and the Cairns IRONMAN, to name a few.

“Major events like these help drive visitation and allow us to market Queensland on a global scale and inspire our neighbours to experience the best address on earth.

“This event was made possible thanks to our partners at Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing and Duco Events.”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk congratulated Jeff Horn on last night’s victory.

“Brisbane’s own Jeff Horn continues to prove why he’s still the world champion,” he said.

“Battle of Brisbane 2 was the spectacular finale of a trifecta of Brisbane-based international sporting events and Jeff has brought home Australia’s third win against our British rivals.

“We are so proud to have the humble, hard-working and determined Jeff Horn representing Brisbane on the world stage.”

The 2018 Queensland events calendar is forecast to generate more than $780 million in economic benefit to the State’s economy.

Next year promises to be even bigger, spearheaded by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April and of course the TV WEEK Logie Awards in July.

Investment in our events calendar drives visitation right across Queensland, which in turn supports local jobs and injects millions of dollars into the economy.  

The Games will inject more than $4 billion into Queensland’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and delivering world-class sporting facilities that will benefit Queenslanders for years to come.

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447