Horn has ‘ early shot’ plan to KO Crawford

JEFF Horn plans to pounce on Terence Crawford at the opening bell of next Sunday’s world title fight in Las Vegas and try to bury him in an avalanche of punches.

That stunning revelation is one of the key foundation stones for Glenn Rushton’s 12point plan to hand Crawford his first defeat after 32 victories stretching back 10 years.

Horn, unbeaten in 19 fights, defends his WBO welterweight title against the slick American at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas tomorrow week and says a dramatic early knockout will propel him into the boxing stratosphere.

Rushton has studied Crawford meticulously and believes Horn must go after him in the opening round.

Describing Crawford and his foul- mouthed trainer Brian McIntyre as “overgrown school bullies’’, Horn says he plans to get an early lead and keep it – as he did in the first half of the Pacquiao fight.

“Back in 2013 I won the Australian welterweight title by stopping Sam Colomban in the opening round,’’ Horn said.

“The fight lasted just 78 seconds. I’ll be looking for that big shot against Crawford. If I hit him cleanly it will only take one shot for me to retain the world title.’’

Horn said he expected a physical confrontation with the Crawford camp outside the ring in the days leading up to the fight.

“They will probably try and push me around mentally and even do the push and shove at the weigh- in as they try and throw me off my game,’’ he said. “Crawford and McIntyre are just like big overgrown school bullies. They are unsure of themselves, unsure how Crawford will react when he gets hit by the biggest, strongest opponent he’s faced. That’s what bullies are like. down bullies are scared.”

Horn went through a fastpaced punching pad session in Las Vegas yesterday. He is noticeably more muscular than he was when he beat Pacquiao last year yet appears lighter on his feet and is punching with much more crispness.

Rushton said Horn would be hunting his prey from the opening bell. “I would dearly love Jeff to score that early knockout,’’ he said. Deep