Jeff Horn could try another weapon

Jeff Horn of Australia, unbeaten, says Manny Pacquiao is no longer at his very best. Granted, but would Pacquaio be needing a peak performance in order to conquer Horn?

This had to be asked following a scorching call from chief adviser Michael Koncz that Pacquiao would have to win by knockout on July 2, no ifs, no buts.

Of course, Pacquiao could also win other than by stoppage.

Based on reports, Pacquiao has been killing himself to achieve peak form. Horn, no doubt, has been working even harder in training.

Based on the respective urgency, it could be deduced that it would not be a mere battle (of Brisbane) they’re waging, but a full-scale war inside the ring this weekend.

What should be of concern to Horn’s countrymen and fans is his consuming drive and desire to take out Pacquiao using the same phantom punch sprang by Mexican ring legend Juan Manuel Marquez in scoring a historic knockout in 2012.

Pardon this, but if there’s another man who knew that lightning punch like it was his own, it was no other than Pacquiao, the victim.

Pacquiao, needless to say, would not be caught dead allowing a similar punch to eliminate him.

In fact, it took Marquez (and trainer Nacho Beristain) a total of four engagements against Pacquiao in order to score the rare shot.

Meanwhile, there has been a growing clamor for Horn to heed the call from the legendary Jeff Fenech, who has recommended bold and dirty fighting against Pacquiao.

Fenech, who knows Pacquiao a lot more than Horn does, has ordered a boisterous assault: push, wrestle, bump, grab, throw everything on the opponent.

The idea was to ride wholly on Horn’s height and weight advantage over Pacquiao who, last tested, was having a tough time gaining his ideal fighting weight.

Warning: Horn also has to be reminded that clobbering and conquering with no caution on his part could prove fatal in the end. Pacquiao, no matter the doubts on his actual condition, still packs venom in his mighty and crafty hands.