Fighting Hobbs ready to chill world champ in freezing US debut
Australia’s Deedee Hobbs and Jeff Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton have combined in an effort to dethrone America’s International Boxing Federation champion Mary McGee.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Tszyu aims to be cut above Horn as he opens as favourite for fight
- Jeff Horn v Tim Tszyu: Nasty war of words erupts
Brisbane’s Deanha ``Deedee’’ Hobbs saw snow for the first time this week and is confident she will enjoy another novel experience when she is crowned world women’s light-welterweight boxing champion in Hammond, Indiana on Sunday afternoon (Australian time).
Hobbs and Jeff Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton have combined in an effort to dethrone America’s much more experienced International Boxing Federation champion Mary McGee in the freezing city outside Chicago.
Another Australian women’s fighter, Ebanie Bridges, from Sydney, fights on the undercard.
Hobbs said she was well aware of what she was going up against but had trained hard alongside Horn at the Stretton Boxing Club and was ready to score a huge upset over a champion with a record of 26 wins in 29 fights.
The Jimboomba boxer, who has eight wins from nine fights, lost a world title shot in Athens last year but says she will go one better today.
``I am feeling great,’’ Hobbs said on the eve of today’s fight.
``I am really honoured to be here and I am just excited to get out there and show everyone.”
McGee said it took her 20 years to win a world title and that she was not going to surrender it in her first defence.
``I have a lot of respect for (Hobbs) for coming all the way from Australia and taking the challenge,’’ McGee said, ``but this was the wrong fight for her because she is not getting this belt.
``I just came off of a fight December 5 and I am still in the best shape of my life. Actually, I went right back into the gym a week after the fight.
``I am feeling victory. Everything that I see in my future is me holding onto this title until I decide to retire.”
Cornes erupts on AFL’s ‘absolute mess’
A rule that was brought in to increase scoring in the AFL hasn’t worked and polarising commentator Kane Cornes has teed off.
Tassie’s AFL wishlist takes a hit, so who else is out there?
Colby McKercher is staying at North Melbourne, and his new contract puts him alone among a big group of players Tasmania will look at when it comes into the AFL.