Horn’s bid to outwit Bud with big switch

BOXING IN a stunning move, world welterweight champion Jeff Horn is planning to spend some of his superfight with Terence Crawford fighting from the left-handed (southpaw) stance in a bid to counter the slick skills of the American.

Horn has been practising a total reversal of his normal “orthodox” stance in a bid to throw the undefeated “Bud” Crawford off his game and hand the raging favourite his first loss in 33 starts.

In his training sessions with coach Glenn Rushton and strength and conditioning guru Dundee Kim, Horn has been alternating between orthodox and southpaw stances as he ramps up his preparation ahead of his April 14 world title defence, which looks like moving to Las Vegas from Madison Square Garden in New York.

Promoter Bob Arum said a conflict of dates was forcing the move, adding that he was close to finalising a deal for Manny Pacquiao to battle Mike Alvarado on the same card.

Horn begins sparring for the Crawford fight next week.

Earlier in his career, Horn stunned opponents with the way he could switch stances with equal effect but in recent bouts has fought almost exclusively as a right-hander.

Rushton said he and his champion had a variety of surprises ready for Crawford, who presents the toughest test of Horn’s career.

It will be a fascinating match-up, with both fighters trying to outwit and then outpunch the other.