Fenech tells Jeff to fight dirty
BOXING: Australia’s best modern fighter says the Hornet can sting the Pacman and he will be getting in Jeff Horn’s ear about just how to do it.
Jeff Fenech, a multiple world champion who held belts at three different weight divisions, said yesterday Horn, who will fight Manny Pacquiao on July 2 at Suncorp Stadium, could follow in his footsteps if he took his advice.
Fenech and Horn checked out the $30,000 gold and diamond encrusted belt, paid for by Duco Events, which the two men will fight for next Sunday and the Marrickville Mauler said Horn would defeat Pacquiao.
“I honestly believe he can win the title,” Fenech said.
“He’s got all the tools and advantages to win.
“He’s younger, he’s bigger and stronger. If you have all these advantages I believe you have to use them.
“Jeff has got to be right on Manny’s chest, give him no room at all and push him backwards.”
Fenech also believed Horn needed to take Pacquiao out of his comfort zone to take the WBO world welterweight crown.
“Take him somewhere he hasn’t been,” he said.
“Be dirty. You’re fighting for a world title. You need to do everything you need to do to get that title.”
Fenech also issued a word of warning to the Horn camp regarding the build-up to the big fight.
“I heard Jeff say he had done 24 rounds (in sparring) and maybe more and that was a worry,” he said.
“I remember when Kostya Tszyu fought Ricky Hatton and he totally overtrained.
“Hopefully they have got it down pat and they’re going to taper off and not get him doing too much because sometimes if the engine’s burnt out you can’t fix it.”
Horn said he was delighted to have the support of a champion such as Fenech and would thank him for all he had done after he defeated Pacquiao.
“It’s awesome (to have Jeff behind me), he’s a legend of the sport,” Horn said.
“To have him in my corner and have him saying I can do this and I will be world champion on July 2, I really appreciate it.”