Jeff Horn survives knockdown, retires Randall Bailey on stool

 
THE Australian public already knew that Jeff Horn had the potential to do great things.

 
On Wednesday night in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Horn kept his firm grip on the mantle of being Australian boxing’s next big thing, retiring a dangerous Randall Bailey after seven rounds.

 
Horn (now 14-0-1, 9 KOs) floored the former two-divsion titleholder with a sweeping hook in the second round of their unified regional title fight, only for Bailey (now 46-9, 39 KOs) to return the favour in the following stanza.

 
The undefeated former Olympian has shown a tendency to take more punches than he often needs to, and in this particular fight, Bailey exploited the opportunity when he was given the liberty, landing a signature right hand.

 
To his credit, a clearly wobbled Horn recovered well.

 
For that fleeting moment in the third round, Horn was in serious trouble for the first time as a professional. But from that point onwards, the popular Queenslander didn’t miss a beat.

 
Horn punished the body of his far more experienced counterpart over the course of the ensuing four rounds as Bailey continued to wane. Despite offering some resistance, he ultimately opted out after seven rounds.

 
“He was a tough guy,” admitted Horn in his post-fight interview with Ben Damon.

 
“He took some great shots. I did get clipped – and he could punch – lucky I came out the way I did,”

 
Having earned the right to celebrate with an overdue win in front of an adoring home crowd, Horn admitted that he took more risks than he probably should have, which showed throughout the fight.

 
“Sometimes I do that, it’s a bit of a mistake,” said Horn of his refusal to box from a distance. “I wake up when I get hit. I should hit myself in the dressing room a few times before I come out,”

 
The highly rated 28-year-old is hoping to lure recently crowned WBO welterweight titleholder Jesse Vargas, who Horn publicly voiced an interest in facing.

 
“I hope it’s Jesse Vargas next,” he concluded.

 
“He’s the world titleholder and the number one position is vacant. If he wants to do it, I’m happy to take it.”

 
 
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images