01-18-2017, 03:52 PM
'No real talent': Boxing official slams Jeff Horn ahead of proposed Pacquiao bout
Jeff Horn may fight Manny Pacquiao this April.
A ringside judge at Jeff Horn's most recent fight says the Australian welterweight contender has "no real talent" and will be easy pickings for Manny Pacquiao should their proposed April bout come to fruition.
Negotiations are continuing as Top Rank's Bob Arum and New Zealand-based Duco Events try to get the fight over the line. It has been provisionally booked for April 23 at Brisbane, Australia's Suncorp Stadium.
Pacquiao still needs to sign the deal. Meanwhile talks are continuing with the Queensland government to see if they will stump up the cash to back the event, which would go close to selling out the famous rugby league ground.
But it wouldn't be worth the price of admission if you believe Bruce McTavish, a veteran boxing referee and judge who was ringside when Horn knocked out South African veteran Ali Funeka in Auckland last October.
McTavish, a New Zealander who lives in Pacquiao's native Phillippines, delivered a fairly scathing assessment of Horn's ability when he spoke to The Manila Times about the fight.
The 76-year-old said Horn was a lovely young man but had meagre boxing ability and was miles below the standard needed to challenge WBO champion Pacquiao, now 38 and embarking on the final few bouts of his sensational career.
"I was one of the judges when I saw Jeff Horn won by knockout against an African opponent during an IBF (International Boxing Federation) event last December. To tell you the truth, Horn is a very nice kid, former schoolteacher, clean cut, a good boxer, but he has no real talent," McTavish said.
"He may have won by a knockout against the other guy and did it pretty well, but I think he's too young and raw for Manny.
"Manny will knock him out three to four rounds [in] and I guess it's a mismatch. It's a shame. Horn has a good future but he's not yet ready for somebody like Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a freak of nature. He only needs six weeks to get into a tough shape and that's very fast."
That sort of talk would likely infuriate Duco and Horn's handlers, who would no doubt try to ensure McTavish was nowhere near the fight in an official capacity if it gets the all-clear.
Queensland remains the frontrunner of all potential Australian destinations but the bout could yet go to the US or Middle East if the funds can't be found locally.
And while the match-up has taken somewhat of a beating, Arum insists Horn can be a big name in the sport and has a huge amount of upside no matter the result against Pacquiao.
- Sydney Morning Herald
Jeff Horn may fight Manny Pacquiao this April.
A ringside judge at Jeff Horn's most recent fight says the Australian welterweight contender has "no real talent" and will be easy pickings for Manny Pacquiao should their proposed April bout come to fruition.
Negotiations are continuing as Top Rank's Bob Arum and New Zealand-based Duco Events try to get the fight over the line. It has been provisionally booked for April 23 at Brisbane, Australia's Suncorp Stadium.
Pacquiao still needs to sign the deal. Meanwhile talks are continuing with the Queensland government to see if they will stump up the cash to back the event, which would go close to selling out the famous rugby league ground.
But it wouldn't be worth the price of admission if you believe Bruce McTavish, a veteran boxing referee and judge who was ringside when Horn knocked out South African veteran Ali Funeka in Auckland last October.
McTavish, a New Zealander who lives in Pacquiao's native Phillippines, delivered a fairly scathing assessment of Horn's ability when he spoke to The Manila Times about the fight.
The 76-year-old said Horn was a lovely young man but had meagre boxing ability and was miles below the standard needed to challenge WBO champion Pacquiao, now 38 and embarking on the final few bouts of his sensational career.
"I was one of the judges when I saw Jeff Horn won by knockout against an African opponent during an IBF (International Boxing Federation) event last December. To tell you the truth, Horn is a very nice kid, former schoolteacher, clean cut, a good boxer, but he has no real talent," McTavish said.
"He may have won by a knockout against the other guy and did it pretty well, but I think he's too young and raw for Manny.
"Manny will knock him out three to four rounds [in] and I guess it's a mismatch. It's a shame. Horn has a good future but he's not yet ready for somebody like Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a freak of nature. He only needs six weeks to get into a tough shape and that's very fast."
That sort of talk would likely infuriate Duco and Horn's handlers, who would no doubt try to ensure McTavish was nowhere near the fight in an official capacity if it gets the all-clear.
Queensland remains the frontrunner of all potential Australian destinations but the bout could yet go to the US or Middle East if the funds can't be found locally.
And while the match-up has taken somewhat of a beating, Arum insists Horn can be a big name in the sport and has a huge amount of upside no matter the result against Pacquiao.
- Sydney Morning Herald