Horn's Trainer: We Can't Afford To Let Crawford Land Big Shots

Glenn Rushton, the head trainer for WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs), has a plan worked out to prevent mandatory challenger Terence Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs) from getting off with his big punches.

Their contest is scheduled for June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Horn is hoping to continue his Cinderella run, after capturing the world title in July 2017 with an upset decision win over eight division champion Manny Pacquiao at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Horn then returned in December, and retained his belt with a voluntary defense against British contender Gary Corcoran, who was stopped in the contest.

Crawford believes that he's going to knock Horn out - and he doesn't expect the contest to be very difficult.

Rushton, on the other hand, is not taking any chances in the fight.

He wants his boxer to apply a lot of pressure on Crawford from the early start to disrupt the challenger's game plan.

"We can't afford to let Crawford nail Jeff with a big shot, because once Crawford lands a heavy punch that's when he goes from being a very elusive, defensive fighter into an extremely dangerous hunter,'' Rushton said to the Courier Mail.

"His punches are laser sharp, pinpoint accurate and he throws them very fast and in combinations. Jeff will be going out there to put Crawford under enormous pressure and to throw him off his game.''

Horn has been sparing with Ray Robinson, who defeated Crawford in an amateur showdown in Colorado Springs in 2005.

Rushton believes Crawford and his handlers are overlooking the abilities of Horn.

"Crawford and his team have described Jeff as a crude brawler and lacking in skills,'' Rushton said.

"They forget that after just four years in the sport Jeff made the quarter-finals of the London Olympics. Despite his reputation, Terence couldn't make the American Olympic team.''