Fenech’s warning: Stay hungry or risk the title
AS Jeff Horn contemplates a $2 million offer to face Anthony Mundine next year, Australia’s most successful boxer has warned him to “stay hungry’’ ahead of a dangerous battle next week.
Horn faces the big and ravenous Gary Corcoran at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 13 and Jeff Fenech says he doesn’t need a crystal ball to foretell the English gypsy causing a huge upset if Horn is not totally focused.
Yesterday, Sydney agent Matt Rose offered Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan $2 million for a non-title bout featuring Mundine against Horn in the new year, possibly at Allianz Stadium where Mun- dine beat Danny Green in 2006.
But Fenech, who won three world titles between 1985-88, has warned Horn to keep his mind on the job.
Fenech says that despite all the accolades and offers Horn is receiving he has to have a fighter’s mentality to retain his WBO welterweight title on Wednesday week. Horn has been in a tuxedo as often as his boxing trunks recently, collecting a variety of awards including The Courier-Mail/Channel 7 Queensland Sports Star of the Year.
“Success can ruin a fighter pretty quickly,’’ Fenech said.
“It happened to me. You end up going to so many functions and doing appearances … that you lose that edge that got you to No.1 in the first place.
“Against a dangerous opponent like Gary Corcoran you only need to be 1 per cent off your game for disaster to happen.
“I’m not saying Jeff Horn’s not hungry any more but Corcoran is, and he’s the kind of fighter who will do anything to win. The bloke lives in a caravan and from what I’ve seen of him he has that non-stop aggressive style and win-at-all costs mentality.’’
Fenech likened Corcoran to English southpaw John Farrell, who Fenech beat in 1985 in a gruelling slugfest.
“These kind of gritty guys are starving for success,’’ Fenech said.
Horn and trainer Glenn Rushton are reportedly not keen on the Mundine fight, saying they want to build their reputation against the world’s leading fighters. The Cairns Post is offering one lucky reader a double pass to the fight, plus flights and accommodation. See page 11 for details.
AGAINST A DANGEROUS OPPONENT LIKE GARY CORCORAN YOU ONLY NEED TO BE 1 PER CENT OFF YOUR GAME FOR DISASTER TO HAPPEN JEFF FENECH