Horn’s dad fights for boxing safety after Zerafa’s brutal victory

While admitting that his son’s boxing career is most likely finished if he doesn’t beat Michael Zerafa, Jeff Horn Snr has embarked on a campaign to ensure greater safety for fighters.

Jeff Horn. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

• Zerafa to carry Aboriginal flag against Horn
• Horn’s desperate fight for survival

Jeff Horn’s father was so appalled by the sustained beating his son endured against Michael Zerafa four months ago that he has started a campaign to improve boxing safety.

And while admitting that Horn’s career is most likely finished if he doesn’t beat Zerafa in their grudge rematch next Wednesday in Brisbane, Jeff Horn Snr has embarked on a campaign to ensure any stricken fighter is saved much quicker by ringside officials.

Horn was badly beaten in the ninth round in Bendigo as ringside doctor Naomi Harris called vainly on New Zealand referee Ferlin Marsh to stop the fight.

As Horn staggered around the ring, the boxer’s father then ordered Horn’s corner to immediately surrender as Horn collapsed to the canvas.

“Boxing is a sport,’’ Horn Snr said, “and we are not there to see people get hurt.

“Fights cannot be allowed to go on too long when it’s obvious that one of the boxers has no chance to come back.’’

Jeff Horn with dad Jeff Horn Snr at Brisbane Airport after the loss to Michael Zerafa. Picture: Annette Dew

In the aftermath of his son’s loss to Zerafa on August 31, Horn Snr contacted Melbourne barrister Simone Bailey, the Chair of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board of Victoria and herself a champion amateur fighter.

As a result Victoria has implemented controversial changes to the way it runs fights, ensuring that a ringside doctor can immediately catch the attention of the referee when necessary.

Ms Bailey told Horn Snr that in Victoria, a ringside doctor would have the ability to immediately signal for a time-out at any stage of a fight to assess the damage to a contestant.

“The ringside physician is now seated right beside the timekeeper,’’ she said, “so if necessary the timekeeper can simply ring the bell to halt the fight.

“Safety is absolutely our number one priority here in Victoria, and I am always keen to develop strategies to make things (safer) for our competitors.’’

Jeff Horn goes down in a crushing loss to Michael Zerafa in Bendigo. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

The Victorian board is also looking to purchase Infrascanner 2000 portable brain scanning devices to identify instantly if a contestant has suffered a brain bleed.

The measures that the Victorian board have introduced, though, will not be in place for the Horn-Zerafa rematch at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

Australian National Boxing Federation supervisor John Hogg said experienced Brisbane fight doctor Ben Manion, who has overseen such bouts as Horn’s victory over Manny Pacquiao two years ago, would be at ringside.

“The referee remains in sole control of the fight in Queensland,’’ Hogg said. “Dr Manion has the power to notify the referee immediately if he feels a fight has to be stopped.

“I’m aware of what is happening in Victoria but I see a potential problem if a doctor is a newcomer to the sport and hits the bell for a premature stoppage.

Live stream Riakporhe v Massey as they battle it out for the British Cruiserweight Title with KAYO on your TV, Mobile, Tablet or Laptop. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

Simone Bailey is a barrister and the boss of Victorian boxing. Picture: Jason Edwards

“There have been countless examples of a boxer getting hurt and then coming back to win and we believe the referee is the best person to assess the situation.’’

Horn Snr says he will continue to press for the Victorian changes to be implemented in Queensland, while world championship trainer Noel Thornberry is meeting with Queensland boxing officials hoping to have the Infrascanners adopted in the State.

Horn faces the fight of his life on Wednesday night.

“Realistically if Zerafa wins again I think Jeff’s boxing career is over,’’ Horn Snr said.

“But I think Jeff can turn it around. He’s training with much more purpose than he did for the first bout. No matter what happens I want him to finish the fight without being damaged.’’