Horn ready to go for throat after virus scare

JEFF Horn insists he will be fully fit to square off against Tim Tszyu despite suffering a coronavirus scare in the buildup to their super welterweight blockbuster in Townsville on August 26.

“The Hornet” was ordered by doctors to undergo a COVID-19 test after suffering a sore throat that has left the former world champion’s voice as hoarse as that of Broncos legend Darren Lockyer.

Horn was relieved to get the green light and is ramping up preparations to consign the son of Kostya to the first defeat of his professional career.

Horn’s voice was still raspy when he spoke to News Corp on Wednesday but is adamant the fight will go ahead as he looks to build on his defeat of Michael Zerafa in December.

“I don’t know what’s going on with my throat,” said Horn (20-2-1, 13KO), a surprise $2.62 outsider with bookmakers to beat Tszyu (15-0, 11KO).

“I don’t have a cold or the flu or anything, I’ve just lost my voice which is a bit weird.

“It’s been nearly a week now. It’s a mystery where it’s come from.

“I had the (coronavirus) test just recently. Thankfully I got the all clear. It was a bit uncomfortable with the stick going up my nose but it’s nowhere near as painful as getting punched in the face.

“I’ve been having plenty of lemon tea to fix my throat. It’s not affecting me at all, I will be fine for the fight.”

Tszyu has faced his own issues, with the 25-year-old forced to abandon his training base in Sydney and relocate to the Gold Coast a fortnight ago to beat Queensland’s COVIDenforced border closure.

Mindful of his tendency to fatigue at the back end of fights, Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton is putting the 32year-old through a punishing training regimen.

“Glenn wants me at the same level of fitness that I was at for the Manny Pacquaio fight (in 2017),” Horn said.