BRISBANE, Australia—Glenn Rushton can now return to his mansion at Stretton and allow the enormity of what he and Jeff Horn have just done to sink in.
In toppling Manny Pacquiao from his pedestal, they’ve accomplished Mission Impossible.
READ: Horn stuns Pacquiao for unanimous decision win
And, according to Rushton, a self-made millionaire who ran away from home at 14 to fend for himself, they got unexpected help from Team Pacquiao.
Rushton said during Sunday’s post-fight conference that he felt disrespected upon hearing what Justin Fortune, Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, said about Horn’s chances of dethroning the Fighting Senator.
According to Rushton, Justin said the only way Jeff Horn would win is “if Manny gets tripped.”
Fortune’s words carried a lot of weight for Rushton.
Jeff Horn of Australia celebrates after beating Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their WBO World welterweight title fight in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, July 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Horn, on the other hand, took offense when he was informed that Pacquiao was texting throughout Wednesday’s press conference.
“It was a bit disrespectul. It shows his lack of interest (in the fight),” said Horn then, adding that he would have put Pacquiao in detention if he did that (texting) in his classroom.
Pitted against seven-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach, Rushton carefully charted and nurtured a 10-point plan, which he said would bring down Pacquiao if his focus wanders.
Even then, Rushton warned Horn that against Pacquiao, there’s little room for error. He demanded perfect execution.
While Horn did commit some mistakes, Rushton acknowledged that it was the best under the circumstances.
“Pacquiao being a great champion and a legend,” said Rushton, who warned the champions and the contenders in the welterweight division that Horn is still a work in progress.
“He’s still evolving, improving,” noted Rushton.
Basing from his performance against Pacquiao, Horn is a new superstar coming.