Horn, Crawford face off

All talk before two undefeated champions settle it in the ring

WORLD welterweight champion Jeff Horn came face to face with Terence Crawford yesterday and declared he would still hold the title after what is expected to be a brutal slugfest in Las Vegas tomorrow.

While Crawford said he hoped a victory would inspire poor kids from his old neighbourhood in Omaha, Nebraska, Horn said he had all of Australia fighting alongside him.

The two stared each other down for the cameras as the cocky, swaggering Crawford said: “You ready?’’

Horn, the nicest man in Australian boxing, grinned back and replied: “Yeah, I’m ready. Are you?’’

Horn looked noticeably bigger, a fraction taller at 175cm but more powerfully built through the upper body.

The gracious Horn initiated a brief handshake with his challenger.

Crawford is chasing a hattrick of world titles after win- ning both the lightweight (61kg) and light-welterweight (63.5kg) crowns but faces the biggest and strongest opponent of his career in welterweight (66.7kg) champ Horn.

The two 30-year-olds barely glanced at each other in front of the cameras yesterday at a press conference in the MGM Grand theatre that is designed for illusionist David Copperfield.

Horn said he was surprised to be such a big underdog for the fight even though waves of money are shortening the odds.

“Terence is a great fighter, pound for pound, he wiped out the junior-welterweight division,’’ he said. “But I can’t wait to get in there and prove the doubters wrong. I’ve heard I’m a chump, I’m a fraud. I’m here to prove people wrong.

“I’ve heard a lot about Terence and seen a lot of him too and I don’t think he’s fought anyone like me or with the same ability. I’m planning on going out and shocking him and the rest of the world.’’

Crawford said Horn would “most definitely’’ be surprised by his punching power at the heavier division.

“He’s viewing me as a small welterweight but I’m prepared for whatever he brings. He might get hurt.

“I’m not Manny Pacquiao. I’m bigger. I’m stronger and I’m in my prime.’’

Crawford said he would break Horn’s will.

“A lot of people came at me with a strong will over the years and they leave with their tail between their legs.”

Horn is unbeaten in 19 fights and Crawford unbeaten in 32.