Pray Jeff Horn is (already) worth it
Veteran promoter Bob Arum has yet to say something new about the Australian fighter Jeff Horn (16 0-1), whether or not the unbeaten former school teacher now stands a better chance against Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has signed a contract to fight Horn in Brisbane on July 2.
The Pacquiao-Horn fight, originally scheduled on April 23, dragged, got dumped, but was reset following confusing negotiations that saw Briton boxer Amir Khan temporarily grabbing the main picture.
Horn refused to sulk after Khan had emerged as Pacquiao’s most likely foe over a month ago.
As could only be expected, Horn was never reported to have taken it easy in training.
Will the unscheduled extended wait prove beneficial to Horn?
Pacquiao did emerge a smashing 8-1 favorite the first time odds were taken in Australia over a month ago.
The first time Bob Arum was asked if Horn could beat Pacquiao, the veteran matchmaker said: “I’m not really sure, but he sure will give Pacquiao a good fight.”
For his part, Pacquiao said it was the first time he had heard of Horn when Arum called to bare details of his next bout.
Of course, Pacquiao can only be expected to train in earnest.
He will, in fact, have ample time to hit peak form as the Philippine Senate will have a break in the months of May and June.
However, there has emerged an odd twist on the true worth of Horn, following pronouncements by Pacquiao chief aide Michael Koncz.
Koncz bared Pacquiao would try to dispose of Horn as quickly as possible.
“We get out there, we say hi to the Australian fans and media and we come home,” Koncz bragged in treating the unbeaten Australian like an insignificant insect.
Taking it from Koncz’s blunt estimate, Horn cannot be expected to rise as a truly worthy opposition to the only world boxing champion senator in the world.
Horn may have zero chances of upsetting Pacquiao. But he could turn this chance of a lifetime into something very significant for Australia and the boxing world.
Horn should put up a better, more mature defense. He could put up a good fight, as Bob Arum has predicted.
