Jeff Horn will ‘definitely consider’ donating brain to research

Jeff Horn says he will “definitely consider” following in the footsteps of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech by donating his brain for scientific research into the effects of concussion.

Jeff Horn will consider donating his brain to science. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty

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Jeff Horn says he will “definitely consider” following in the footsteps of Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech by donating his brain for scientific research into the effects of concussion.

Fenech – a three-time world champion – has gone public with his commitment to the Australian Sports Brain Bank, which is a joint venture between the University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

More than 100 sportspeople have made a similar pledge.

Jeff Horn will consider donating his brain to science. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty

“I’d definitely consider that being something I would do,’’ former world champion Horn said as he prepared for his rematch with Michael Zerafa on December 18.

“There’s a lot of guys in sports that later in life are having a lot of problems.

“They are things you’ve got to look at and make sure you are not copping the punishment, because if you are, you shouldn’t be in it for very long.

“I don’t want to be hit in the head more than I have to.

“I don’t know too much about CTE and things like that but I’m sure he’s (Fenech) doing the right thing.

“Jeff has been a massive boxer and has had a lot of hits to the head, so they’d like to know what damage that has been done.’’

Fenech said he made the decision to donate his brain to research after a series of disturbing incidents.

“I’ve done things where I’ve spoken to people and I’m supposed to meet them in 15 minutes and I’ve forgotten. I’ve been places and I’ve picked things up without even knowing,” Fenech told the ABC’s AM.

“Just recently I had all my tests, and they were all 100 per cent, so I’m not sure what it was. But look, I’m worried about it.

Jeff Horn copped a vicious beating from Michael Zerafa. Picture: AAP/Michael Dodge

“In rugby league, if you get concussion, they take you off and they leave you there for 20 minutes and you go through a series of tests.

“In boxing we count to eight. If you’re not up by 10, the fight’s over. If you’re up by 10, we fight on.

“Somebody needs to get up and speak the truth. If we’re going to have a protocol to look after people’s health, we need a protocol over all sports.”