GOLDEN GLOVES
HUMBLE HORN TO MAKE HIS FORTUNE
AUSTRALIA’S latest sporting hero could soon become one of the nation’s richest athletes.
Global fame and fortune is about to be showered on schoolteacher turned boxing champion Jeff Horn.
The new WBO welterweight champion is set to cash in on his history-making defeat of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Sponsors, promoters and fans could deliver a knockout payday in and out of the ring.
With a title defence and possibly even a rematch later this year, marketing experts said the sky was the limit for the Queenslander, who took up boxing to fight off bullies.
If the fairytale continues, he could be Australia’s $50 million man or the inspiration for a Hollywood movie.
Victoria University sport business Professor Hans Westerbeek said Horn, 29, could enter a new stratosphere of earning if he defended his title.
“He has been likened to Rocky, but he’s the genuine story and the fact he is humble and from a working class background is always a good foundation for a story,” he said. “If this isn’t a one hit wonder it will definitely end up in the realms of storytelling in books and movies, and that kind of stuff can make you very wealthy.”
Horn is expected to earn about $1 million from Sunday’s victory, but that would be dwarfed by a likely November rematch and future fights.
He has already called out Floyd Mayweather, with the US boxer pocketing $200 million beating Pacquiao in 2015.
If he can get Mayweather in the ring, Westerbeek said Horn was “going to deliver a big pay cheque.”
“He’s now the champion and if you attract an opponent who lures a big audience than is when the till really starts to tick over,” he said.
Horn said he was happy to fly to the US, if required, for a rematch. “I would prefer to come back here and fight in Queensland or Australia but, look, there is always a chance that the fight could possibly be made in America,” he said.
Deakin University sports management senior lecturer Adam Karg said Horn’s story was significant.
“If he fights in another division he will get $US2 million minimum and if he fights Pacquiao in a rematch he will get a much bigger percentage.
“But the big one will be if he can fight Mayweather — and I would put that in the ballpark of $50 million.”