Jeff’s simply the best bloke, says Horn’s biggest backer

HE HAS 25 real estate developments under way around Brisbane, is the largest private owner of the Broncos... and has been Jeff Horn’s major sponsor since he witnessed a comeback two years ago.

Jeff Horn on his way to beating Manny Pacquiao for the world welterweight title at Suncorp Stadium.

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PHIL Murphy owns much of Jeff Horn’s heart and some of Manny Pacquiao’s blood.

The largest private owner of the Brisbane Broncos says he loves the ``Fighting Schoolteacher’’ and would adopt him if he could.

``His behaviour and manner is impeccable,’’ says Mr Murphy, a former bush jockey who has ridden one big real estate winner after another to become a multimillionaire land developer changing the face of Brisbane.

``Jeff Horn is the greatest role model in the country. He’s an incredible athlete who is the most humble, modest, down-to-earth person you could meet.’’

Champion boxer Jeff Horn with his biggest backer, Phil Murphy, at the Stretton gym in Brisbane’s south. Picture: Jamie Hanson

Mr Murphy has 25 real estate developments under way around Brisbane, and has earthmoving machines working to create more than 1000 residential blocks at Narangba, Griffin, Bridgeman Downs, Bray Park, Murrumba Downs, Kallangur and Samford.

He has been Horn’s major sponsor since the night he saw him recover from a huge knock early to stop America’s former world champion Randall Bailey at the Brisbane Convention Centre in April 2016.

His Oxmar Properties paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to sponsor Horn’s victory over Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium last July, and he souvenired the padded white-and-purple corner post cushion which Pacquiao rested his head on as he dropped to his knees and prayed after the fight. Pacquiao left a large blood smear behind.

The 66-year-old is the biggest share owner of the Broncos after News Corp, publishers of The Sunday Mail, having paid more than $4 million for a 22 per cent stake.

His introduction to rugby league came in 2004 when he was running a charity auction for his daughter’s school, Living Faith, at Murrumba Downs.

He had seen the Broncos on TV but never taken much notice until he rocked up to a game with two footballs and two jerseys, hoping a few players might sign them for the auction.

He was standing outside the dressing room, looking a bit flustered when the great forward Shane Webcke came up and said, ``You look like you’re doing it tough, mate.’’

Webcke took Murphy’s things and got them all signed. It was the start of a great friendship with Webcke and with the club.

Before backing world welterweight champion Horn, Mr Murphy sponsored Alex Leapai and was a huge help in guiding the Logan truck driver to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world.

In 2016, Mr Murphy read about Horn’s career in The Sunday Mail and said he looked like ``a decent sort of a bloke’’ and offered to help him towards a world title fight, too.’’

Horn says he will always be grateful.

``Phil has helped me enormously,’’ Horn said. ``I couldn’t have achieved what I have without his support.’’

Horn’s next fight will be against trash-talking American Terence Crawford possibly on May 19 in Las Vegas, after the American postponed the fight from April 14 following a hand injury.