The trainers behind 2012 Australian Olympian Jeff Horn (16-0-1, 11 KOs) expect their boxer to let those hands go, and land often, on July 1 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Horn will challenge WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao before an expected crowd of 50,000 fans at the venue.
The fight is a major step up in class for Horn, who in his most recent fight picked up a stoppage win over former champion Ali Funeka, who is well past his best days.
In a recent interview, Pacquiao's head trainer - Freddie Roach - said Horn was nothing special and not as talented as Pacquiao's last opponent, Jessie Vargas.
Horn's head trainer, Glenn Rushton, expects a career defining performance from his fighter.
“Manny has never fought anyone like Jeff,’’ Rushton said to Fox Sports Australia. “And Jeff is the kind of fighter who is difficult to prepare for because you never know what’s coming at you. He can turn southpaw like Manny, he can hit you with right hand leads and he can move and fight from angles that Manny hasn’t encountered before.’’
Horn's conditioning coach, Dundee Kim, agrees with Rushton. He believes Horn will throw punches from very awkward angles that Pacquiao will never see coming.
“I’ve been studying Manny for 16 years and no one he has ever fought boxes like Jeff,’’ Kim said.
“Most guys Manny has fought come into the ring and they are predictable. Even Tim Bradley - who is a very good boxer – they all start with the left jab, right hand, left hook. But Jeff throws punches from everywhere. He can throw right hand leads as fast as jabs and he can turn southpaw quickly to throw opponents off their game. His pressure technique upsets his opponents’ rhythm. I think Manny will really get a shock when Jeff starts hitting him hard from angles Manny hasn’t seen before.’’