Back to school for The Man

FOR much of his life Jeff Horn has been the underdog – the schoolkid who took up boxing to escape bullying.

It’s an image Horn’s camp drew on for his world title fights against Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford.

This time, ahead of tomorrow’s fight with Anthony Mundine in Brisbane, it’s the schoolteacher with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

A defeat to the 43- year- old ex- rugby league player would, in Horn’s own admission, be “devastating” for his career.

At an official press conference in Brisbane’s CBD yesterday, promoter Dean Lonergan, trainer Glenn Rushton and even Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni boldly predicted a knockout win for Horn as Mundine sat nearby, stony- faced.

Horn was more circumspect. “I actually don’t like being the favourite,” he said. “I don’t like the expectations that you should knock him out. I hate that.”

Mundine said he felt sympathy for Horn, whom he believes is being led astray by Rushton and his promotions team.

“He had options but what is he going to be paid a couple of hundred thousand against another A- plus American in the welterweight or is he going to come and make a couple of million – a few million – against The Man?” Mundine said. “Once I win, inshallah ( if Allah wills it), I want to help the kid because he’s getting robbed.”