State government plans to consider backing Hobart boxer Luke Jackson’s bid for a world title fight in Tasmania.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman has not ruled out financially supporting a WBO world featherweight contest against Mexican icon Oscar Valdez in Launceston.
When asked could the Silverdome be prefered over Hobart to host the unbeaten champions, the Premier was open to the best deal.
“The Tasmanian Government would look closely at any proposal to secure a world title bout,” he said.
“Luke Jackson is a great Tassie success story, proving again he is at the peak in his sport. If we can leverage off this to secure an event that stacks up against the other many requests for public funding, we would give it very serious consideration.”
The Clarendon Vale fighter has hosted five of his last seven bouts in his hometown in a 15-fight professional career that included title wins for the WBA Oceania and WBO Oriental belts.
But Jackson reignited his career in Melbourne for five of his opening eight fights following an opening bout points-decision loss at the 2012 London Olympics.
Jackson told The Examiner earlier this week, less than 24 hours after his win against another Mexican Humberto de Santiago: “We’ve just got to get Will Hodgman to back us, so we can bring a world title fight back to Hobart.”
But the government could demand to decide on the best location to gain the greatest financial return for taxpayers’ investment.
With a 15-and-0 record, Jackson felt assured of making a big payday in the state.
“If we can get the fight here, I am confident I can win it,” Jackson, 32, said.
“We’ve just got to get that happening...the government has to get behind me and support this massive event.”