Australia’s newest boxing Jeff wants to excite

 
IN the year Jeff Horn was born, Australian boxing stood on the courageous shoulders of two other men named Jeff.

 
27 years later as the sport searches for a new spark, the new Jeff is showing the potential to set boxing alight.

 
Queensland’s Horn is not specifically from the Fenech or Harding mould. He is a silky welterweight, with a range of skills that has ensured the depth of his heart is yet to be fully tested.

 
This Saturday night he will step into the ring with an opponent specifically chosen to examine whether it is an organ befitting Fenech or Harding that beats in Horn’s chest.

 
“I know what Jeff Fenech and Jeff Harding achieved, and they are two of the true greats. It would be an honour to be Australia’s new Jeff, if it turns out that way,” says Horn.

 
“I have to keep impressing and exciting people, and this guy (Ukranian, Victor Plotnykov) is really designed to test what I’m made out of.

 
“This isn’t a fight where I can try to be flashy or show off. I have to go to war with him and it might not be pretty.”

 
Plotnykov has won 32 of his 34 fights, with 15 knockouts.

 
In addition to his big edge in experience the Ukranian will have reach and height advantages over Horn, and the confidence of a recent high-profile victory on the road.

 
“I saw his fight with Denton Vassell in Belfast where he looked very good and won easy on points,”

 
“He’s a big and rangy guy with a solid jab and a big right hand and I really need to upset his gap, which will be tricky against such a seasoned boxer.”

 
“Besides that, my last loss which was before I went professional obviously (at the London Olympics), was against a Ukranian. They breed them tough over there.”

 
This fight will be Horn’s fourth consecutive appearance on a Duco Events card in New Zealand, where he’s been making his name as the opening act to the impressive Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker.

 
With the eyes of the world on Parker, Horn’s development is being watched by the boxing world and he’s now awaiting the opportunities his increasingly impressive performances should bring.

 
“I’m still undefeated obviously and I’ve been enjoying fighting on the Parker cards in New Zealand,” Horn added.

 
“It’s definitely odd being better known over there than I am at home but I’m looking forward to making my name in Australia, and overseas as well,”

 
“If I can get past this fight then there’s another Duco event in October in New Zealand, then hopefully we’ll get back to fight in Australia,”

 
“It’s guys like (Keith) Thurman and (Brandon) Rios I really want to fight – they would be real wars.”

 
In the meantime Horn is urging Australians to join boxing fans around the world by watching him come of age, through the wonders of the internet.

 
 
Jeff Horn vs. Victor Plotnykov will be live and free via Epicentre this Saturday night.

 
 
Words: Ben Damon (Follow Ben Damon on Twitter)
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images