Horn v Tszyu: boxing classic could become brain game as insiders tip Tim to outsmart Jeff
Jeff Horn is one of the toughest boxers Australia has ever seen, but insiders predict his rival Tim Tszyu could use his brain – and his fists – to win this week’s Rumble On The Reef.
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Jeff Horn usually lets his fists do the talking but after savage sledges from his upcoming opponent, Tim Tszyu, ‘The Hornet’ has finally found some verbal sting.
Horn will begin his march back to a world title when he squares off against Tszyu in Australia’s fight of the year this Wednesday night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
It will be a veritable State of Origin-style showdown: Horn, the proud Queenslander who famously conquered Manny Pacquiao in a Suncorp Stadium epic in 2017; against Tszyu, the New South Welshman with dreams as big as his mouth.
Tszyu has wasted no time trying to gain a psychological edge, suggesting the 32-year-old Horn is getting old and too busy worrying about his wife and two kids to put all his energies into boxing.
But the usually mild-mannered Horn has given Tszyu an uppercut, saying he has done nothing in the sport and can only dream of emulating the feats of his father, Australian boxing legend Kostya.
“He’s not his dad,” Horn says on the eve of their super welterweight blockbuster.
“He is not a legend just yet so he needs to stop acting like him (Kostya Tszyu).
“He’s not that athlete yet.”
At 25, Tszyu is seven years younger than Horn and is building a formidable record in the ring.
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The son of Kostya is unbeaten from 15 professional fights, including 11 by knockout, having amassed the type of KO ratio that made his tiny, 170cm father a big-punching Soviet pocket rocket.
Kostya believes his son has inherited the lethal right hand that saw him famously clobber Zab Judah in 2001, but he warned Tim to brace for the toughest fight of his career against Horn (20-2-1, 13KOs).
“Jeff is a very typical Australian fighter. He has big balls,” Kostya says. “Jeff has got a great desire to fight and he comes up with exciting fights.
“To beat Jeff, Tim needs to be smart. Every boxer makes mistakes in a fight and Tim has to capitalise on every mistake Jeff will do. At some stage, Jeff will make a mistake.
“I think Tim can outsmart Jeff, that will be the key.”
Glenn Rushton, the trainer who turned Horn into an Olympian and world champion, is mindful of Tszyu’s hunger and fitness.
Horn has a reputation for fading at the back end of fights, prompting Rushton to put him through a punishing regimen in the lead-up to this bout.
As seen in his fights against Pacquiao and Michael Zerafa, rounds nine and ten are Horn’s danger zone.
This time, Rushton wants The Hornet mentally and physically ready to go the full 10 rounds.
“I want him back to his Pacquaio best for this fight,” Rushton says
“Tim’s opponents have never been in Jeff’s league. They just don’t have the power Jeff has got. Tim has never fought anyone like Jeff before and is not yet in the same league as Manny and Terence Crawford.
“The way I see the fight unfolding, I think Tim will think he won’t be concerned if he drops a few early rounds because he will back himself to put Jeff on the ropes in the later rounds and he will bludgeon Jeff.
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“That’s why I want to make sure Jeff has 10 good rounds in him this time. It will be a war, no doubt, but I’m confident Jeff will get the right result.”
Horn scoffed at Tszyu’s suggestion he has lost his hunger.
“I can’t let Tim win this fight. I have been going through some hell in training to ensure that is the case.
“I am a lot more confident this time in terms of preparation than I was before my first fight against Michael Zerafa (which he lost).
“I feel nice and strong this time … I will be ready to go.”
