The ‘Battle of Brisbane’ certainly lived up to its name in what was the best fight Australia has seen since Geale versus Mundine, maybe even ever.
Similar to the old lion v young lion heavyweight battle between Jersey Joe Walcott and Rock Marciano (as both champion and challenger were actually the same ages) history has repeated itself with Jeff Horn stunning the boxing world by defeating Manny Pacquiao to become new the WBO welterweight champion.
With both fighters receiving bad cuts to the head, the fight was a true battle in the ring.
Putting in the performance of his life, Horn never stopped applying the pressure and used his weight and height advantage in the first four rounds to get a clear head start. He caused a head cut to Pacquiao in the fifth which started the blood bath. Pacquiao would shake up Horn in the ninth but it would not be enough to retain the title.
The fight was a tic for tac match proving that gentlemen can compete in the ring, with both fighters showing respect the entire match and not using dirty tactics.
Pacquiao did tag Horn a number of times but Horn had an answer for everything that Pacquiao through at him.
The judges scorecards gave the fight 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 in favour of Horn to gave the upset result.
Now everything changes for Horn. The new champion was very gracious in victory and instantly suggested that a rematch would be on the cards.
In his post-fight interview, former champ Pacquiao suggested the same with the intention of rematch – possibly again in Australia.
With the upset of the century on his resume, Horn can call the shots for his next fight. Now Horn joins an elite field of Aussie boxers such as Kostya Tszyu, Jeff Fenech, Danny Green, Danny Geale, Sam Soilman and Anthony Mundine.
He is also the first Aussie fighter to win a title against an international fighter on home soil.
In the other 24 hours since the win, many have been critical of the decision. Former heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis took to Twitter saying it was not the way he saw it, Teddy Atlas a former trainer to Mike Tyson was not happy with the decision and told that to Horn himself in a post fight interview.
Despite this celebrations are continuing in Brisbane and country wide, with a parade for Horn on Thursday to be held in Brisbane.
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
How good was that!!! 96 seconds ha ha
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
I hope that Horn takes the fight with Mundine and flattens him like a pancake in the first round. Actually no scrap that a long beat down for ten rounds with a ko just seconds before the end of the fight would be better
BigJ
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say that Mundine turned boxing into a circus, it already was. But Mundine single handley kept that sport going after the retirement of Kostya Tszyu and if Horn takes this fight it would be the passing of the torch fight that aussie boxing needs. Mundine is done so time to pas on the torch
Sean Heaney
Guest
If Horn even considers a fight with Mundine he has lost me as a fan,Hopefully Jeff will fight real boxers with good credentials and not turn Australian boxing into a circus again like Mundine did
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
I have just hear that Mundine has challenged horn to a fight after Manny Pacquaio has withdrawn from the rematch. Would laugh my MFAO if they have a fight
KingKongBundy
Guest
They were all boarderline body shots still looked pretty ordinary didn't they Ward had him gone anyway he really didn't need to finish with those shots
BigJ
Roar Guru
The Ward rematch was a bit of a joke though. Hit the other fella in his balls a heap of times didnt he????.
KingKongBundy
Guest
Or manny Siaca coming out of retirement from middleweight to fight Green for it or is Briggs the worst 3 an a half years in retirement with brain problems NSW wouldn't sanction the fight I don't no out of all of them what is the worst ,its all money money money.I rate the WBO lot better at least they have principles you would have to rank them straight behind those 3 ,speaking of BJ flores if you want a giggle look up Tony Bellew Knockouts BJ Flores, on YouTube I think the fight starts around the 6 min mark I've been following Bellew for a while now the guys a animal rumour has it Andre Ward might step up to Cruiserweight to fight him what a dream match up!
BigJ
Roar Guru
I would have to agree with that, the IBO has only been around for twenty years and pretty much runs its on show. The IBO is certainly one of the lower credit organsiations in boxing and is a little bit of a joke. How the hell did Shane Cameron get shot at the title at Cruiserweight is beyond me, Danny Green I can understand, a former champ but a heavyweight??? Corruption i suppose. plus that fight was not his best. But atleast Australia has a real champ for now, how to you rate the WBO??
KingKongBundy
Guest
Mate I don't rate the IBO full stop look at that fight Green vs Dominguez for example .Green came out of retirement and fought Anthony Van Niekerk a lightheavyweight at a catchweight of about 82 kilos if I remember correctly then fought Dominguez(another lightheavyweight) and like Green had never fought in the cruiserweight division,now how can two men fight for a so called 'world title' when they have never competed in that weight division before??? on top of that Dominguez was ranked 160th in the world as a light heavy great candidate for a so called 'world championship fight' mate its a circus there is no ranking system in the IBO the idea is to beat contenders and force the champion to defend it against you like in the WBC,WBA,IBF in those governing bodys you aren't allowed to defend it against someone that isn't ranked inside the top 15 you also are forced to fight your number one contender or you will be stripped.The IBO doesn't have a system like that they are irrelevant, like Will Tomlinson won a IBO then released it and went to America to try and win a real one.Its just not cricket mate and yes the Flores fight was a good one but look at the guys he beat to get there he was and still is nothing but a journeyman
BigJ
Roar Guru
It was in Perth, Sydney was Roy Jones Jr. You dont think his IBO win against Dominguez in Mississippi was worth anything or his defence against BJ Flores???? Ill admit Roy Jones jr was just beating up an old man but Green was not that much younger than him and RJJ is still fighting today. Briggs was a disgrace and the worst bit of boxing corruption ever, but surely two of his title fights were legit.
KingKongBundy
Guest
Wrong it was in perth and i was there through 12 frustrating rounds of backpeddling but still on paper it was greens only legit world title victory
BigJ
Roar Guru
I know for sure he lost to Barry Michael in Melbourne the same year but cant confirm nor deny that he won against yuh Hwan-kil in Melbourne
BigJ
Roar Guru
Yep against Stipe Drews in Sydney, thought it was in the Us but that was The IBO fight against Dominguez.
KingKongBundy
Guest
Add danny green against that hopeless croation to that
Mike from tari
Guest
Jeff Fenech also beat a Japanese in Sydney for his World Title so your statement about Horn being the first fighter to win a title against an international fighter is not correct.
Mike from tari
Guest
Didn't Lester Ellis win his World Title in Melbourne against a foreign world Champion.