Mercury (Hobart)

Horn told to ‘fight ugly’ on Pacquiao

- GRANTLEE KIEZA

JEFF FENECH has secretly urged Jeff Horn to fight ugly to upset all-time great Manny Pacquiao.

“Just bash the bloke in close,” Fenech told the Aussie in a private chat away from the microphone­s in Brisbane yesterday. “It’s no more Mr Nice Guy. I’m not saying break the rules, but you have to rough Manny up.

“Jeff, do everything to hurt him in close. Twist him, twist his knees, use your weight advantage, bully him — bang your shoulder into him. Manny can punch at a distance, Jeff. Close the distance. Stay on his chest and make him feel all of his 38 years.’’

Horn-Pacquiao has sold an Australian boxing record 44,000 tickets for July 2, already surpassing the 38,000 for the 1992 world title fight between Fenech and Azumah Nelson at Princes Park.

Horn said it was “awesome” that the streetfigh­ter-turnedcham­pion Fenech was backing him to pinch Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organisati­on welterweig­ht title.

“Jeff Fenech has believed in me right from the start of my career and words can’t express how grateful I am for his support,” he said.

Horn, 29, is a ferocious slugger just like Fenech. Both were Olympic quarter-finalists, and like Fenech, Horn tries to overwhelm opponents with brutal, relentless pressure.

“This is going to be a real exciting bout because of the way Jeff and Manny fight. They are non-stop attacking fighters,” Fenech said.

Want to witness one of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history?

For your chance to win email competitio­n@themercury.com. au with Pacquiao v Horn Competitio­n in the subject line and your name, address and contact number in the email body. Entries close at 10am Tuesday, June 27 and winner will be contacted by phone and email. The winner’s name will be published in the General Notices on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. See themercury.com.au for full terms and conditions.

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