Former world champion Jeff Horn admits he is under pressure to knock out Anthony Mundine in next month’s Suncorp Stadium bout but has vowed to end the veteran’s career.
Horn confirmed he will launch his bid for another title tilt in a 71kg catchweight bout against Mundine on November 30.
Horn (18-1-1 record) said the gameplan was to earn a re-match with Terence Crawford, the American who took his WBO world welterweight crown in June.
In the meantime, Horn, 30, hoped to make a statement against Mundine (48-8-0).
“There is pressure because I am favourite. I will need to be convincing but he has had his time and now it is my time to take over,” Horn said.
“I am surprised his career is still going but hopefully this will be his last fight.”
Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton said he had broken from tradition and had put pressure on his charge to knock the 43-year-old Mundine out next month.
“I want Jeff to dazzle in this fight. It’s a big ask and I have put a lot of pressure on him,” Rushton said.
“Jeff keeps saying ‘don’t tell me to knock him out in this round’ – he doesn’t like that added pressure.
“But I am putting pressure on him to deliver.”
Ruston said Horn was ready for the step up against Mundine.
“This is a tough fight as far as comeback fights go. We are fighting a bigger man, going up two divisions,” he said.
“Jeff fought all his amateur career as a light welterweight at 64kg.
“It’s a massive challenge but Anthony has been taunting us for some time but now it’s on, we will be ready.”
Horn looked forward to returning to Suncorp Stadium, the venue where he famously defeated boxing great Manny Pacquiao to claim the WBO welterweight crown in July 2017.
The announcement ended months of speculation linking Mundine as Horn’s next opponent.
“Mundine is an opponent who has been on the radar for quite a while but we have made him wait in the background for some time which I know has been frustrating for him – now is the right time,” Horn said.
“I don’t like giving knockout predictions, but every fight I try to end early – it’s like time off work early.”
Horn’s camp confirmed a fine system for Mundine if he came in over the agreed 71kg for the fight.
Mundine will be fined $350,000 for the first kilogram that exceeds 71kg and $500,000 for every kilogram after that.
“It’s fair to say we expect Anthony to come in at weight,” Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan said.
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