Beaten champ has an eye on Mundine
JEFF Horn v Anthony Mundine. It’s a very possible scenario for Suncorp Stadium late this year.
Horn was hoping that a victory over Terence Crawford yesterday would propel him into the stratosphere of huge American paydays against the likes of the Mexican Canelo Alvarez but instead he is now seriously looking at some quick money against Mundine before making another assault on the world’s top welterweights.
He said he believed that despite the heavy defeat in Las Vegas yesterday, he could “possibly’’ win a rematch and that he deserved the chance to win back the title.
While Mundine sent Horn a good luck message before yesterday’s fight and offered his commiserations after the defeat, negotiations had already begun for a battle between two of the biggest names in Australian boxing history.
Horn and his promoter Dean Lonergan said they preferred to face major names in the American market but Horn’s father wants him to retire from boxing soon after making as much money as he can for minimal risk.
He sees the prospect of a Mundine fight as potentially a huge payday for his son without the risk involved in a Crawford rematch or a fight with another top boxer in the division, Errol Spence.
“Crawford fought a very good tactical fight and as much as Jeff tried to put the pressure on him, Crawford’s counterpunches were more precise,’’ Horn Snr said.
“Jeff will come back from this. He has an enormous heart but we will have to sit down and very carefully plan his next move.’’
Last night, Mundine’s adviser Emaid Dib, who has been pitching the potential for a Mundine-Horn fight to Horn’s manager Glenn Rushton for several weeks, tweeted: ``Credit to @jeffhornboxer always doing Australia proud! After tonight I am confident @Anthony_Mundine would give Horn a lot of trouble. Mouthwatering domestic fight!’’
Lonergan said he was not sold on the idea, given that Mundine is now 43.
He is keen for a Horn rematch with Crawford and said the new world champ was willing to travel to Brisbane so long as Lonergan came up with the necessary millions.
Rushton said his boxer would be up for a rematch any time.
“You have to remember that Jeff has had only 20 pro fights so he lacks the professional experience that Terence brought into the ring after 10 years as a pro, Rushton said.
“Terence fought very well, he’s a sharpshooter. He had great gap control and all the skills. He was landing clean shots where we fell short.
“But I would dearly love Jeff to fight Crawford in Australia. I think without the travelling Jeff would be fresher.
“Everyone has losses in life and you have to learn from them. We all face defeat at some stage. We can give it away or we can bounce back.
“That’s what Jeff is going to do. He’s going to bounce back and win again.’’