Jeff Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs) is peaking with confidence since the WBO welterweight belt wrapped around his waist, so much so that he aims to get UFC champion Conor McGregor in the ring and gives him ''no chance'' whatsoever of defeating him under boxing rules.
After getting a feel of McGregor's technique when he made the transition from the octagon against five division champion Floyd Mayweather back in August, Horn saw the fitness and fatigue kick in as the Irishman was forced to stand his ground for nine rounds in comparison to a maximum of five in the octagon.
The once humble, peaceful schoolteacher had little banter before he took on Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao, but his unlikely victory has him growing with belief he is up there with the top fighters in the world.
When asked about his chances against the biggest name in UFC, Horn had a McGregor-like response, claiming the fight would be a walk in the park.
''It would be the easiest fight of my career,’’ Horn told The Courier Mail. "If it’s under boxing rules McGregor has no chance.
"I watched McGregor’s fight with Floyd Mayweather and Floyd wore him down and stopped him even though Floyd hadn’t fought for a couple of years.
"I would bring a lot more pressure on McGregor right from the opening bell and I hit a lot harder than Floyd too. If the fight can be made I’d love it. To bring McGregor to Australia like we did with Manny Pacquiao would be a terrific event. He’s a big name and I think the crowd here would love to see me beat him."
Horn's focus is on Gary Corcoran at the Brisbane Convention Centre on December 13 after a Pacquiao rematch was ruled off the table due to his senatorial commitments.
UFC President Dana White stated in a recent interview that Horn had no chance of landing a boxing match with McGregor.
But, Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan is ready to make an offer that McGregor can't refuse.
“We’d love to have Manny Pacquiao in Brisbane again but there has been talk about Jeff against Conor McGregor and it’s a huge fight. We’re putting the challenge out to McGregor — tell us how much money you want and we’ll see if we can make it happen," Lonergan said.