Jeff Horn could soon find himself rubbing shoulders with the same ESPN personalities who slammed the decision to crown him the victor in Sunday's 'Battle of Brisbane'.
Top Rank supremo Bob Arum has suggested Australia's new WBO welterweight champion should be formally introduced to the US boxing scene at the ESPYS, the sports network's glitzy annual awards show, in Los Angeles on July 12.
It comes after a hysterical overseas reaction to Horn's unanimous points victory over the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
ESPN presenter Stephen A. Smith was among the more voracious critics of the result while commentator Teddy Atlas suggested Horn was handed the victory as a reward for merely "trying hard".
"It's fair to say if it all works out that we do go up there, we'd have a chat to Stephen A. Smith. He's one of America's great commentators," Horn's promoter Dean Lonergan said.
"Stephen A was pretty vocal with what he had to say but I'm sure maybe his promoter will be just as vocal as Stephen A back.
"We'd have to talk to Jeff about that and see if he wanted to go. I'm sure he would.
"Jeff Horn's life's changed now, he's on a whole different planet when it comes to his fame and boxing future.
"Things like the ESPYS, they've been talked about already. Bob said that would be a great idea. How cool is that?"
The Philippine Government's Games and Amusements Board has written to the WBO to seek a thorough review of the fight and for possible sanctions against the referee and judges if warranted, but stopped short of asking for the result to be overturned.
Judges Waleksa Roldan (117-111), Chris Flores (115-113) and Ramon Cerdan (115-113) adjudicated the fight. Roldan and Flores are from the United States and Cerdan is from Argentina, yet there have been accusations it was a hometown decision.
Horn said he was not bothered by the controversy, but accused Atlas of trying to "ruin the moment" by telling him on live television after the bout that he thought he should have lost.
"It would have been good for him to say it another time. Say what you want, Teddy," he said.
"Everyone has a right to their opinion. The timing of their opinions can be a bit off sometimes.
"I'm sure I've (gained) a lot more fans over there than I've lost."
