Jeff Fenech says Jeff Horn must make it a brawl against Michael Zerafa

Jeff Horn has been copping blows, physical and verbal, from Michael Zerafa for months now. And Jeff Fenech says if the Queenslander has to show his raw power if he wants to win the rematch.

Jeff Horn has to bring his power game against Michael Zerafa this week. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Peled

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Ever since Jeff Horn marched into the boxing ring at Bendigo Stadium to the driving rhythm of his theme song Seven Nation Army, Michael Zerafa has laid siege to him.

Zerafa punished the former world welterweight champion for nine rounds on August 31 in the worst beating of the Brisbane boxer’s career.

In the four months since, Zerafa has had Horn constantly reeling with a verbal barrage. Just like in the boxing ring Horn has had Zerafa coming at him from all angles and he has been left flailing away helplessly looking to land a counterpunch.

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Zerafa has been all over Horn since the beginning.

At a press conference to announce their rematch Horn told Zerafa that he was still hungry.

Zerafa told him to eat more pizza.

And when Horn told him that he was polishing his skills for the return fight, Zerafa told him that “you can’t polish a turd”.

In face-to-face confrontations, Zerafa has told the mild mannered former schoolteacher that he doesn’t have the height, reach, skills, youth or speed to match the Melbourne fighter.

Horn admits he has come off second best in the war of words but is adamant that he can still turn it around where it counts with his fists on Wednesday night at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Queenslander has been training hard. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I’m definitely fitter and stronger for this fight than in the first one,’’ Horn said.

“I cut some corners in my last preparation and maybe underestimated Michael’s ability.

“But I’ve trained three times a day for the rematch – and it’s just like I’m fighting Manny Pacquiao all over again. It’s that important to me. I’m fighting for my career.’’

Australia’s most successful boxer, Jeff Fenech, who tipped Zerafa would cause an upset in the first bout, expects Wednesday’s rematch to be “a bloody brawl’’.

Horn has to bring his power game this week. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Peled

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“I think it will be a wild fight but especially early on Jeff has to concentrate on his defence,’’ Fenech said.

“When Jeff got knocked down early in Bendigo it threw everything out the window for him.

“He hurt Michael a couple of times in the first fight and if he does that again he has to jump on him straight away and let loose with everything. But at the same time he has to be precise with his punches because Michael will make him pay if there is anything sloppy in his attack.

“Jeff doesn’t have the finesse to outbox Michael. He has to make it a real brawl and I think his only chance to win the fight is by KO.

“Michael’s confidence is very high and the main danger for him is being over-confident. Jeff Horn can punch and Michael felt that power in the first fight.’’