Jeff Horn of Australia, who challenges Manny Pacquiao for the WBO world welterweight championship in Brisbane on July 2, said the Filipino boxing superhero often dropped his guard whenever he went for the kill.
Horn did not specify how often Pacquiao makes this mistake, the killer kind that caused the horrifying knockout defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012.
Horn, an unbeaten former school teacher (16-0-1), however, said he would prefer that Pacquiao be at his fiercest, sharpest best on the day of the Battle of Brisbane.
No problem. Pacquiao will be the very best he can because Horn will be at his best too, assured Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
“Manny hasn’t scored a KO in a long time, it’s time that changed. He’s working his ass off and we will be keeping the world title,” Roach told Grantlee Kieza of CourierMail.com the other day.
Added Roach: “Manny doesn’t underestimate anyone. Horn is a good puncher, but we’re prepared for anything. Manny will go for a knockout.”
Other than show up in peak form, Pacquiao could only be expected to train extra hard to deflect and evade counterpunches.
Pacquiao was stopped cold by a well-planned right-hand counter to the chin by Marquez.
“Horn is a good counter-puncher, so we are coming up with a sure-fire game plan,” Roach said.
For the record, Horn was previously demeaned by Michael Koncz, who likened the Australian fighter to an insignificant insect when Pacquao’s adviser bragged that all they have to do on July 2 is show up in Brisbane, say hello to fans and media, then proceed home.
Roach was more diplomatic.
“There are big fights coming up for Manny and Horn is just the kind of opponent Manny needs to prepare for those,” Roach said.
It was a civil way of honestly stating how poor Horn’s chances are.
Horn, also known as the Southpaw Stopper, has no choice but demand Pacquiao show up at his best—the more monstrous the better—in order for him to mount a truly monumental challenge that could also lead to the Upset of the Century.