CAN JEFF HORN BEAT THE ODDS AGAINST TERENCE CRAWFORD ON SATURDAY?

On Saturday, Jeff Horn will place his WBO welterweight title at stake against unbeaten former two-division world champion Terence Crawford at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada (ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).

Horn, who’s ranked No. 5 by THE RING in 147 pounds, arrived in the united states on May 30. The unbeaten Australian is excited about the chance to show himself.
“I’m excited,” Horn (18-0-1, 12 knockouts) told THE RING. “I always pictured myself battling in Vegas eventually. It just shows some fantasies can come true. The next part of the fantasy is winning”

The 30-year-old former schoolteacher is acutely conscious of Crawford’s skills but remains unfazed and confident of pulling off the upset against the 1/9 (-800) odds-on favorite.

“Crawford is a very slick and skillful fighter,” he said. “He has many skills that allow him to adapt and change styles to work against his competitor. I believe I have the design that will upset anybody in a fight, regardless of what they plan for.

“It’s critical to my profession to hold onto my belt. To win this fight against America’s best on their soil is going to be a huge leap forward for my career and legacy I would like to leave in the sport.”

The Australian is itching to struggle and was disappointed when the initial April 14 date fell through, because of an accident to Crawford’s (32-0, 23 KOs) right hand. But he is now focusing on the positives.

“It was annoying but I feel like, in the conclusion of the dayI am in better shape than I was going in the April 14 date.” Said Horn, who was involved in a minor vehicle crash.

Set up in their hometown of Brisbane. He is pleased with trainings have gone, factoring in the postponement.

“All coaching camps are tailored to the competitions,” said the venerable coach. “We have had two training camps, with the fight being postponed from April 14.”

Manny Pacquiao traveled to Australia for what was likely to be a regular title defense to yield his name to Horn. It was”The Hornet’s” coming-out celebration; nonetheless despite a better-than-expected performance, many considered Pacquiao had done enough to keep his title.

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