Our Experts Decide: Jeff Horn vs. Randall Bailey

 
JEFF Horn will make the first appearance in his home state in over two years on Wednesday night.

 
The undefeated Horn (13-0-1, 8 KOs) will put his welterweight world rating on the line against lively former IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey live on Fox Sports from 7.00pm EST at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

 
The pair will collide for the Horn’s IBF and the vacant WBO Inter-Continental welterweight titles.

 
Aus-Boxing spoke to a group of industry insiders to get their thoughts on who would win and why.

 
 
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 12-9

 
Horn UD10 Bailey: The stage is set for Jeff Horn to step up as the new face of Australian boxing, and to do so he needs to dispose of opponents like Randall Bailey.

 
As the headliner of a new-look Fox Sports broadcast Horn gets the biggest domestic opportunity available to an Australian boxer, albeit with a piece of titanium in his throat.

 
Against a massive puncher, the injury could be decisive. But if Horn handles the occasion and stays away from the bombs he will impress the audience with the superior boxing skills which have earned him this opportunity.

 
 

Adam Wilcock, Promoter/Manager – Record: 13-9

 
Horn W10 Bailey: Hard to tip against the Hornet as who really knows where his ceiling is. He’s been matched beautifully to date and has beaten everyone put in front of him.

 
Cessaire, Rabah and Colomban were all fights that he was expected to be tested to early, but he handles beautifully. A win makes Bailey relevant internationally again, but in terms of priority does that prospect outweigh a two week holiday in Australia at this stage of his career.

 
Jeff could be anything, but that early career much vaunted power seems to have dried up a little with steps up in class. Horn points win.

 
 

Chris McCullen, Trainer – Record: 0-2

 
Horn W10 Bailey: It’s hard to work out what Bailey has left in him at his age, but I think at least he still has the one punch knock out power.

 
Horn will have to be better defensively against Bailey than he was against the Frenchman to avoid this. In saying that, I think the Hornet’s work rate will be too much and he’ll outpunch and outwork Bailey to a points victory.

 
 
Brett Bonetti, Journalist for 6PR/96FM – Record: 4-1

 
Horn UD10 Bailey: Jeff Horn needs to box smart against the experienced and dangerous Randall Bailey.

 
Horn will use his good timing and movement to stay away from Bailey’s power and not give the 41-year-old a chance to land that big punch he will be looking for. Horn gets the victory by unanimous points decision.

 
 

Neil Devey, Journalist for The West Australian – Record: 2-1

 
Horn TKO7 Bailey: Bailey is 41 years old and has defeated no one of note this decade.

 
If Horn is as good as his admirers believe, and he has recovered from his recent throat injury, he has to brush aside the old stager.

 
 

Cody Kaye, Journalist for Fox Sports – Record: 3-1

 
Horn UD10 Bailey: Australia’s Fighter of the Year in 2015, big things are expected of welterweight contender Jeff Horn.

 
He comes into this fight against American veteran Randall Bailey having had a titanium plate inserted into his neck back in February. How the former Olympian mentally handles ten rounds with that stuck in there against a man that’s stopped 39 of his 46 opponents is anybodies guess.

 
Still, at 41, Bailey’s best days are long gone, while Horn’s remain well and truly ahead of him. A win here will put Horn right in line to fight IBF titleholder Kell Brook, or WBO champion Jessie Vargas.

 
I don’t expect Horn to take too many chances against a man with genuine one-punch knockout power, but I do expect him to box his way to a comfortable win and continue his rise up the rankings.

 
 

Phil D. Jay, Editor for World Boxing News – Record: 4-1

 
Bailey KO Horn: The old boxer versus puncher classic this one. Horn has sufficient talent to jab and move his way to a comprehensive points win but there’s always that danger that Bailey could catch him and stop him.

 
Due to Bailey’s experience and resume, I’d have to say he will and go for a Bailey knockout.

 
 

Adam Santarossa, Journalist for SportingNews – Record: 5-1

 
Horn W10 Bailey: I think Jeff Horn wins by decision. I like that his team are stepping him up, but showing great patience at the same time, you can see ‘The Hornet’ improving with every fight.

 
Bailey won’t be a walkover by any means, but I think given the fight is on home soil, Horn will be in control.

 
If he fights smart, he wins.

 
 

Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 14-5

 

Horn TKO8 Bailey: This fight is one I would of like to see some two years prior as Bailey I think is on the slide now, but yet still very dangerous.

 
I think Jeff has an exciting future, but here’s there to be hit. In saying that, I see this fight being exciting in the early rounds but I think we’ll see Horn stop an ageing Bailey in eight rounds.

 
 

Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 12-7

 

Bailey W10 Horn: A big fight for Australian Boxing fans and a huge opportunity for Jeff Horn to really make some noise and climb up the welterweight world rankings.

 
Bailey is a well credentialed fighter who is not called ‘Knockout King’ for no reason. I hope Jeff can do this but Im leaning towards Bailey in terms of experience and punching power.

 
 

Brendan Bourke, Manager/Advisor – Record: 15-3

 
Horn W10 Bailey: Jeff has been moving along nicely. However, he takes a big risk against power punching American Randall Bailey, who can change a fight with one shot.

 
I see Jeff out working Bailey en route to a decision win, but not before some scary moments that test Jeffs chin.

 
 

George Reno, Trainer – Record: 12-4

 
Horn W10 Bailey: I think this will be a great fight and I’m learning towards Horn, who I think wins on points.

 

 
 
Photos: Getty Images