BEFORE the recent announcement of his bout against Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao became the hot topic in sports, Australian boxer Jeff Horn was a virtual unknown outside his country.
Now, the “Fighting Schoolteacher” is out to show everybody who he is when the Brisbane-native takes on the Pacman on April 22.
The undefeated Aussie has already started training for the bout even before a formal deal was inked.
In a report from The Daily Telegraph, the 2012 London games alum had kicked off his preparations a week prior to Wednesday’s confirmation of the clash—this after Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum said there was a ‘‘good possibility’’ the former Olympian will challenge for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight belt.
The announcement came on the heels of Arum’s meeting with Horn’s chief backer Dean Lonergan in Las Vegas.
Although a venue has yet to be determined, there is a big chance that Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host arguably the biggest fight in the country’s history.
And Horn is delighted at the prospect of facing a future Hall of Famer right in his hometown.
“Fighting Pacquiao would be a dream come true,’’ he said, but added he is confident he will spoil Pacquiao’s first title defense of the belt he won against Jessie Vargas back in November last year.
“He’s an awesome boxer, but I believe I can take his world title,’’ said Horn who boasts a 16-0-1 win-loss-draw record on top of 11 KOs.
Meanwhile, Horn’s camp said they have already figured out how to beat the eight-division champ.
“They both fight with a lot of variation, very efficient, great angles, high workrates,” said Horn’s trainer Glen Rushton. “But Jeff is bigger, younger, fresher and stronger.”
“Obviously it would have been nice for Jeff to have had a couple more fights against top opponents for the experience,” added Rushton. “But sometimes in life, you have to seize the opportunity when it comes. We’d fight Pacquiao next week if Bob Arum wants it.’’