Fenech backing champ

Aussie great tips ‘heavier punches’ to be telling

AUSTRALIA’S most successful boxer Jeff Fenech has a “world of respect’’ for Gary Corcoran but says Jeff Horn’s heavier punches will make all the difference in tonight’s world welterweight title fight.

“Corcoran is a good fighter and I had a good chat to him on Monday about the fight,’’ said Fenech, a three-time world champ.

“He has a good fight plan; he’s working to make little traps to draw Jeff in and he’s a thinking boxer. He’s studied Jeff Horn very closely and has a good strategy.

“But I think that power of Jeff Horn’s will be the big difference. Like Mike Tyson said ‘every fighter has a plan until they get hit’.

“Gary throws a lot of fast punches and puts on the pressure but Jeff has all the power on his side. Manny Pacquiao was shocked by it. Jeff puts all his body into every punch he throws and those body shots – they’re rib breakers.’’

Horn’s reward for a successful first title defence since a contentious win over Manny Pacquiao could be a bout with Terence Crawford.

A failure could send him back into boxing obscurity.

Horn wants to use his title defense against Gary Corcoran to dispel any notion that he got a hometown decision against Pacquiao in Brisbane last July.

If he gets his way, it could set him up for a big 2018.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum attended the weigh-in and said a win here “will lead to massive fights coming next year.”

“I think Pacquiao is going to return to the ring. Terence Crawford will be the mandatory for this fight. The biggest building in Las Vegas is on hold for this fight,” Arum said.

“Going to have a tremendous year in the welterweight division and these two participants ... will be giving it their all to see who will go ahead as part of these major programs that will take place next year.”

Horn, now unbeaten in 18 bouts, knows what it’s like to be given no chance.