Jeff Horn’s reign as WBO welterweight champion has come to a crashing end at the hands of Terence Crawford, who claimed the belt with an utterly dominant display on Sunday (AEST) in Las Vegas.
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Australia’s Jeff Horn takes on America’s Terence Crawford in the second defence of his world welterweight title. Join The Roar from noon (AEST) for live fight coverage and debate in our blog.
Horn’s life changed forever when he upset Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium nearly twelve months ago to win the title.
Since then, he’s defended the title against lowly-ranked Englishman Gary Corcoran, stopping him in the 11th round in December last year.
Despite being the champion, Horn is a heavy underdog for this fight. Crawford is an undefeated two-time former world champion himself. Many boxing pundits regard him as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer.
But here are three reasons why Horn will win.
1. He’ll have a size advantage over Crawford
Crawford is stepping up in weight to challenge for Horn’s title. Though he’s dominated the lightweight and super lightweight divisions, this is his first fight at welterweight.
And Horn is a big welterweight. He struggles to make the 66kg weigh-in limit 24 hours before the fight, but once he does, he packs the kilos back on. He’ll be heavier and stronger than Crawford. He’ll need to use that to his advantage like he did against Pacquiao.
2. His style is unorthodox
Horn can throw powerful punches from all angles, he’s not your classic style of boxer. If he can come out hard early and land some big shots, he could overwhelm and confuse Crawford.
The American’s decision to use the lightly-padded horse hair gloves could backfire on him.
And if there’s an accidental head clash that results in a cut, Horn needs to make sure he’s ahead on the scorecards.
He’ll have to make it a rough brawl like he did against Pacquiao, not giving the slick Crawford any room to use his sublime boxing skills.
3. He’s used to proving people wrong
Horn has been proving the doubters wrong for his entire boxing career, even stretching back to his amateur days. Some people didn’t think he had what it took to make the Olympics, but he qualified and went within one fight of winning a bronze medal in London in 2012.
And of course, he was a big underdog against Pacquiao where his incredible determination was on display for everyone to see.
On the other hand, here’s three reasons why Crawford will win.
1. His boxing skills
Crawford is an extremely talented boxer. He switches back and forth between orthodox and southpaw with ease, moves well, has great defensive skills and he’s also a devastating counterpuncher.
If Horn misses, Crawford will make him pay. He has an impressive 71% KO record, so he knows how to put opponents away.
2. Horn cuts easily
If Crawford can find his range early, he could open Horn up with the horse-hair gloves. That could mean an early stoppage.
3. Bob Arum wants him to win
Crawford is promoted by Bob Arum. He’s been one of the most influential figures in world boxing for decades.
Although Arum gave Horn his title shot against Pacquiao, he’s heavily invested in Crawford’s success.
It will be hard for Horn to get a points decision in Las Vegas if the fight goes the distance, even with one of the three judges being Australian.
Join The Roar from noon (AEST) for live fight coverage and debate in our live blog.
Nardio
Guest
Predictable result with Horn outclassed in every area. Might have won a solitary round. The betting was spot-on with Crawford at $1.10 and Horn $6 ... pity the Australian media, many of whom got a free trip to Vegas courtesy of the promoter, did not provide an accurate and informed pre-fight assessment. Game as he is, Horn was seriously over-hyped. A good bloke who has been very positive for boxing, Horn has made a couple of million and should quit now.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Yep, it was his only chance. He just couldn't catch him.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Spot on.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Terence Crawford has scored a decisive ninth-round TKO victory over Australia’s Jeff Horn to win the WBO world welterweight title in a one-sided contest in Las Vegas. Crawford’s boxing skills were clearly on display, outclassing Horn and making him look clumsy. The American’s dominant display has justified his reputation as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Horn’s big hope was to come out early and use his size advantage to overwhelm Crawford to land some big shots, but Crawford was too sharp for that. His footwork allowed him to easily evade Horn’s charging attempts to come in, and he used his hand speed to increasingly land strong counterpunches of his own. As always, Horn’s huge heart was on display. He gave it everything he had, but Crawford was far too slick. As the fight progressed, Horn was increasingly on the end of pinpoint shots to both the head and body from Crawford. Crawford switched effortlessly between an orthodox and southpaw stance to land power punches with both his left and right hands. The win makes Crawford a three-time undefeated world champion, having previously won world titles at lightweight and light welterweight. So where to now for Jeff Horn? He still has some big money options, though probably not in America in the short term after today’s fight. There’s a potential Pacquiao rematch that would be marketable both in Australia and to Pacquiao’s legion of fans internationally. That match-up would not only make sense financially for Horn. Pacquiao hasn’t fought since he lost to Horn at Suncorp Stadium back in July last year. At 39, he’s another year older and slower. Anthony Mundine is another potential bout that would probably make financial sense too. He’s also an attractive potential opponent because he’s well past his prime at 43 and the fight would most likely take place at middleweight (72kg). Horn has struggled to make the welterweight limit for years, it might make sense for him to step up for a payday and likely win against Mundine to kick-start a future career in a heavier division.
Harry
Guest
Gutsy from Horn but Crawford just too quick and too talented. Made Horn uncomfortable instead of the other way around.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Thought he might of gone the distance, but he had to ko Crawford to win.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Crawford was just far too slick for Horn, using his boxing skills to score a very comfortable win. Horn's only hope was to use his size to get on top early and land some big shots, but Crawford's footwork and evasiveness made him very hard to hit. Crawford's hand speed and punching power was on display throughout the fight, he picked off Horn as he was charging in all night.
DJW
Guest
Destroyed..
John Coomer
Roar Guru
He gets back up but Crawford pours on the pressure and the ref stops it! Crawford TKO!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Horn down from a right hook in Round 9!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
He's in all sorts of trouble at the moment unfortunately.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 8 Big shots landed mid round by Crawford! Horn in a lot of trouble in t he last minute but manages to get to the stool! Horn in big trouble!
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Hopefully that famous second wind will give him a lift.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 7 Good start to the round by Horn, there’s no question over his heart. A better round for him overall, though Crawford landed a big left and finished stronger to probably pinch the round. Horn will need a KO to win this, and it’s hard to see how he’s going to land a big shot. Crawford is a very slick mover.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 6 Horn really having trouble landing shots, he need to land a big one to get back into this fight. It’s a boxing clinic by Crawford at the moment. Horn is giving it everything he has as usual, but is starting to look tired and Crawford is starting to regularly land big shots.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 5 Both fighters start the round throwing plenty of leather, but Crawford still the more accurate. Horn forces Crawford into the ropes mid round with a flurry, but Crawford gets out quickly. Crawford now stepping it up, he’s showing no fear of Horn is starting to throw him around.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Punch, but its only small still and under control.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 4 Horn still stalking Crawford, but Crawford is too slick for him at the moment. Crawford has great footwork and evasive skills to go with his hand speed. Horn is trying hard but Crawford is well on top, still landing regularly with his superior boxing skills.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Cut from glove or head clash John?
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 3 Big right landed by Crawford early but Horn responds with one of his own! Horn is getting caught when he charges in, walking into a few big shots. Both fighters throwing plenty of leather but a clear Crawford round. Horn cut above the eye!