Worth the weight for buzzing Hornet
TENNIS IN an astonishing boost to his chances in Australia’s biggest ever fight, Jeff Horn will be as much as 7kg heavier than Manny Pacquiao when they enter the ring in Brisbane on Sunday week.
The massive weight advantage will give Brisbane’s Fighting Schoolteacher an enormous headstart over the 38-year-old Filipino world welterweight champ.
And after the most dynamic sparring session of his
HOCKEY life yesterday, Horn looks a good bet to score one of the great upsets in Australian sporting history.
Horn was simply brilliant yesterday in a 12-round gym war in Brisbane with world No.4 junior-welterweight (63kg) fighter Czar Amonsot as he finished his sparring for the fight, relieved at last that he had not suffered any lastminute injuries.
The pair had slugged it out for 66 rounds over the past three weeks but yesterday Horn took the battle to a
SOCCER whole new level, firing laserlike right-hand leads and long-range body attacks that he had previously kept largely under wraps.
He showed extraordinary balance, timing and foot speed in his new orange and black “Hornet” boots that he will wear for the fight.
Horn looks to be in the best shape of his career but he also knows he is facing the biggest challenge of his life.
“I’m jumping out of my skin,” Horn said yesterday. “I don’t usually spar that well close to a fight but I’m really happy with my work today.”
As is normal at this stage of his preparation, Horn has 4kg to lose to make the welterweight limit of 66.7kg.
Pacquiao is already under the weight at about 65kg. By fight time Horn will be as much as 72kg.
He says the weight advantage – more than 10 per cent over his opponent – will be significant in punching power and physical strength for what promises to be a fast-paced punchers’ duel.
ATHLETICS