Horn ready to fight on
Tank not empty yet, says former champ
THERE is still life in Jeff Horn’s boxing career, and only he will dictate when the curtain is finally drawn.
It will not be the critics who came out in force after his last bout, nor will it be at the hands of Tim Tszyu.
It will be on his terms.
The Hornet confirmed in Townsville that he would not be hanging up the gloves, and should a fight offer come his way he would be eager to return to the ring.
In North Queensland to endorse his anti-bullying campaign with AMAYDA, Horn said he had always pinpointed 35 as the age when athletes fade away from their prime.
And with a young family and life away from the sport to consider, he said he would not be overplaying his hand, but would continue to play it until he felt there was nothing more to give.
Even with a world championship belt to his credit, the
Queenslander believes the tank is not empty yet and the drive is still there to compete.
“I’ve heard a lot of ‘why aren’t you retiring?’ and those type of talks, but I’ve got no interest in saying I’m retiring from the sport because once I do that I’m definitely not going back,” Horn said.
“I don’t want to be one of those boxers who retires then comes back, I always said I would be retiring at age 35 and that’s still the plan. If I get any good opportunities by that time I’ll take them. I’ve heard whispers of things.
“I just want to cement my legacy in the sport I. I would love to go out on a win, it’s frustrating having that last fight – I don’t feel like it was the 100 per cent Jeff Horn that has fought in the past.”
Much of the criticism that came at the Horn camp after his Queensland Country Bank
Stadium loss in August was directed at his trainer Glenn Rushton.
Many believed the fight should have been called off earlier than when it ended.
It was reported at the time that Rushton pushed Horn to continue.
While Horn said he understood the public frustration with his long-time trainer, it was that fight and determination to never throw in the
towel that drew him to the veteran in the first place.
“I’ve come back from that position before and he’s hoping that I’ve got that in me to keep going,” he said.