Weighing game: Horn still over 7 pounds overweight for battle

Australian boxer Jeff Horn trains in front of the public in a mall in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, June 29, 2017. Horn is preparing for his WBO welterweight world title bout against Filipino Manny Pacquiao on Sunday, July 2. (AP Photo/John Pye)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA—Before even thinking of trouncing Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Horn must beat the scales first.

Horn said on Thursday that he weighed 70.3 kilos (154.7 pounds) when he woke up Thursday, putting the Australian challenger still 7.7 lb over the 147-lb welterweight limit.

Horn has three days to shed the excess baggage or else blow away his once-in-a-lifetime chance at superstardom.

READ: #InquirerSeven: Things to know about Jeff Horn

Horn goes after Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization crown on Sunday and is confident he will make the
grade in Saturday’s weigh-in.

Addressing hundreds of fans and onlookers at Raddacliff Place for his public workout, Horn explained that he expects to drop two kilos (4.4 lb) on Thursday, as his excess weight is mainly fluids, and then make weight after his final training session on Friday.

What’s intriguing is that Horn said he was between 71 to 72 kg on Tuesday, during his media workout at Stretton Boxing Gym.

READ: Jeff Horn could try another weapon

If that’s the case, then Horn’s weight reduction is taking longer than expected.

Horn’s trainer, Glenn Rushton, and strength and conditioning coach, Dundee Kim, however, believe that the “Battle of Brisbane” would proceed without a hitch for their ward.

Kim said that he likes Horn to rehydrate by at least four kilos, but not to exceed seven kilos on fight day so as not to put a strain on his ward’s kidney and liver.

READ: Jeff Horn has ’10-point plan’ to upset Pacquiao

While Horn is struggling to make weight, the opposite holds true for Pacquiao, who’s trying to gain poundage.

Pacquiao, who’s at 145 lb Wednesday, jogged and did exercises Thursday morning. After another full meal, he took a nap before holding a light workout in the afternoon. Later, he attended a bible service at one of the function rooms of Sofitel Hotel.

American trainer Freddie Roach wants Pacquiao to hit 146.5 lb at weigh in.

READ: Horn has ‘hands like steel,’ says trainer Rushton

Horn, who skipped rope, shadow boxed and did the mitts with Rushton in a makeshift ring put up in the tourist haven, also shunned comparisons between him and Jessie Vargas, Pacquiao’s last victim.

“I move a lot better than Vargas and [am] more technical,” claims the unbeaten Horn (16 wins with 1 draw and 11 knockouts).

Being the bigger fighter, Horn said he won’t be afraid to trade punches with Pacquiao, 59-6-2 with 38 KOs.

READ: Pacquiao not guaranteeing KO vs Horn: ‘Just wait and see’

“If I land my shot he’s going to go down,” said Horn, to the cheers of his fans.
Rushton swore Horn, being younger and bigger, is going to take Pacquiao deep and, if there’s a chance, knock the 11-time world champion out.

If ever, Rushton sees the major shocker happening between the seventh and 11th rounds.