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.
Jay Wright
Roar Rookie
Yeah nah, Mundine got belted into retirement
Graham
Guest
Mundine would have the cash to lure WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders downunder. Mundine is ranked 12 with the WBO and holds the WBO Oriental belt which qualifies him for a title shot. An unlikely win would see Mundine and Canelo as the only middleweight champs.
Jay Wright
Roar Rookie
Actually adding to that it’s a real interesting one that both men will win yet lose in this fight. Both men may take home a huge payday, but in the regards of building their career reputation neither will gain any momentum. For Horn it’s really a no win situation, if he wins which is the most likely, he beats and old man. This will certainly not help his cause towards another world title shot as he is still really hasn’t fought anyone of any real statue this wasn’t well past his prime. Bailey, Funkea and Pacquaio all well past their best when they fought Horn and when we came up against a prime fighter such as Corcoran he struggled to secure the victory and when he took on an established fighter he was schooled the entire fight. Horn my get another title shot but he just a keep active fight for the champ similar to when Danny Geale was when fought Ggg and Miguel Cotto. Current champ like Porter, Thurman and Spence Jr would eat Horn alive. If Horn loses, he’ll be the joke of the decade and he career will be done. As both man are either hated or unknown on an international scale, this fight brings no benefit really. As for Mundine if he loses, he retires, finally we have all been waiting about five years for him to finally give it up. Even if he wins, what next?? No world champion would fight him, despite now the Canelo Alvarez is the middleweight champ and Mundine ended his brother’s career in 2011 I doubt, Canelo would fight him, their is no money in the fight for him. As a former IBO middleweight champ, he may get a shot at that title considering he was the champ before GGG was but I doubt it. It’s possible now that the IBO title is vacant but again I doubt it. This fight is just one big payday for the fighters and that’s fine but it’s nothing more than this.
Jay Wright
Roar Rookie
This should be interesting
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Did you hear that Quade Cooper wants to fight again??
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Really looking forward to the fight. Leapai should thump Browne into next week in a three round slugfest. Interesting to see whom else will be on the card
The Grafter
Guest
Im not so sure BJ. Mundine will have size and experience in his favour. Like him or not, he has fought some top fighters over the years. His age and ability to get down to the catch weight goes against him however I think it will be a very intriging fight. The main undercard fight is looking like Lucas Browne against Alex Laupai. Theres a sports function down the orad beforehand with notable guests such as Daniel Geale, John The Beast Mugabe, Dennis Hogan, Rohan Murdock and the Maloney brothers, one of whom fights for a world title in just over 2 weeks. Sure to be a great day for sports fans.
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Bout time, this fight was announced, but don’t expect a epic war, more of s one side affair with horn downing Choc about six times and Choc dying on his sword