Horn puts a world title for sparring mate Hogan on to- do list
JEFF Horn is ready to help his mate Dennis Hogan join him as a Queensland world boxing champion, with their Brisbane club becoming a major global player in the sport.
Hogan, the world No. 3 contender for the WBO 70kg title, has sparred dozens of rounds with 66kg champion Horn and will be training alongside him for the Manny Pacquiao re- match tipped for Suncorp Stadium in the summer.
The Irish- born Hogan takes another step toward a world title of his own when he tackles Japan’s world No. 9 Yuki Nonaka at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 14.
Logan powerhouse Alex Leapai, who challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the world heavyweight title in Germany three years ago, will fight on the undercard and Horn’s long- time sparring partner Sam Banney will face Faris Chevalier for the Australian super- middleweight title.
Horn, who returned to training on Monday in preparation for the Pacquiao rematch, likely under a huge marquee at Suncorp in early December, said Hogan had the heart of a champion “and I’m sure he will soon turn that heart into a world title belt’’.
“There are no egos at our Stretton Boxing Club,’’ Horn said. “We all want to see Dennis crowned world champ.’’
Hogan’s only loss in 27 pro fights was on points to Germany’s interim world titleholder Jack Culcay in 2015.
Hogan said: “Training alongside Jeff Horn is a real inspiration. I’ve learned a lot from the loss to Culcay and Jeff has inspired me to win a world championship of my own.’’
Another of Horn’s club- mates, Joe Goodall, the 2014 Commonwealth Games superheavyweight silver medallist, leaves for Germany in two weeks to represent Australia at the world amateur titles.
He has been in hard sparring with Australian professional heavyweight champ Demsey McKean and world youth champion Justis Huni.
Horn, Goodall and Banney have all been coached by Glenn Rushton.