Horn for real, says Australian’s Pinoy sparring partner
CZAR AMONSOT, Jeff Horn’s Filipino sparring partner, warned reigning World Box ing Organization ( WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao that the Australian challenger is for real and dangerous.
The 31-year old Amonsot, who is based in Australia for eight years now, said the 29-year-old Queensland native is known for being a strong and durable fighter that can give the eight-division world champion some problems in their scheduled world title fight on July 2 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
“It’s going to be a good fight because Jeff Horn’s condition looks great, but I’m expecting Pacquiao to be in good shape, too. Left and right hand, Horn is also powerful. I feel his power every time we have a sparring session,” Amonsot told The Manila
Times via overseas call on Saturday. “Pacquiao should take Horn seriously. He is no joke. At the same time, Jeff Horn has the courage and the heart as a boxer. I think Manny will have a hard time knocking Jeff Horn out in their fight because he’s really durable and strong,” he added.
The Tagbiliran, Bohol native believed that Horn (16-0-1 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts) is a worthy opponent for Pacquiao (59-6-2 record with 38 knockouts) since he is the current No. 1 WBO rated fighter in the welterweight class.
“He is a worthy opponent and he re- ally worked for it,” said Amonsot, although he refused to make any prediction in the fight. “I’m neutral. All I can say it’s going to be a good fight.”
Horn, a former teacher, had already finished two weeks of sparring sessions with Amonsot.
Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Jonathan Peñalosa downplayed the strategy of Horn’s training camp in getting Amonsot as sparring partner.
“That’s nothing and Amonsot won’t able to help them,” said Peñalosa. “Amonsot is not faster than Manny and he is slow. He doesn’t punch strong like Manny and he doesn’t box like Manny. Very far in style and talent,” said Peñalosa.