by Shaun Brown

Terms have been agreed for WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn to face Gary Corcoran in the first defence of his title.

Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs) stunned the boxing world in July defeating future hall of fame entrant Manny Pacquiao over 12 rounds in Australia to take the Filipino's WBO crown. There had been expectations that a rematch would take place later this year, but for now that is on hold as Horn first has to take on Corcoran (17-1, 7 KOs) first.

Corcoran, ranked 10 with the WBO, had been heavily linked with a fight against Horn on November 11 in Australia and his promoter Frank Warren told 'Scene today (October 3) that terms have been agreed for the fight.

"It's all agreed, we're just waiting for the official confirmation. Terms are agreed and it's all ready to go," Warren said.

Corcoran's promotional stable-mate Bradley Skeete (ranked 3 with the WBO) had been in the running as well.

"We tried for Bradley but they didn't want Bradley," Warren said.

"Gary's got it. I'm happy for Gary," he added.

"Gary's never knocked back a fight, he's a competitive little sod and he's going to go out there and do his best. For me, let's get it right, Bradley or Gary fighting against Horn for the Commonwealth [title]... say you were going to do that nine months ago you'd have done it in a heartbeat."

Corcoran was last in action against Larry Ekundayo six days after Horn upset the odds against Pacquiao. Corcoran edged Ekundayo via a split decision over 12 rounds in London to win the vacant WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title.