Jeff Horn v Terence Crawford: Aussie world champion inspired by wife, daughter

JEFF Horn says his childhood love Joanna and their gorgeous five month-old month daughter Isabelle are the only motivation he needs against unbeaten Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.

• Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford face off in official media conference
• Crawford’s camp says Horn will be forced to quit

JEFF Horn marches into the blazing heat of a firefight on Sunday propelled by two beautiful smiles that melt his heart.

He says his childhood love Joanna and their gorgeous five-month-old daughter Isabelle are the only motivation he needs to turn back the ominous challenge of unbeaten American Terence Crawford in Las Vegas on Sunday, though he knows that fans right across Australia will be cheering him on.

Jeff and Jo met in Year 8 at MacGregor High in Brisbane’s south and their love story is one of the most beautiful in Australian sport as she has seen him rise from a bullied high school nerd to a boxer earning $2.5 million for Sunday’s bout and, if victorious, perhaps four times as much from the next one.

LIVE BLOG: Jeff Horn v Terence Crawford

Jeff Horn and wife Jo are serenaded on a gondola at The Venitian in Las Vegas.

Yet, the loving couple still live in their modest fibro house in Acacia Ridge which they bought when Jeff was working part-time as a schoolteacher and they remain a lovely, decent young couple totally unaffected by the whirl of wealth and celebrity. A big night out for them is a game of monopoly or poker with friends.

Jo says that while she puts on a brave face she is always a bundle of nerves come fight time.

“I couldn’t believe it when Jeffrey told me that he wanted to take up boxing when he was about 20,’’ she said.

“He’s such a quiet, placid guy and I just couldn’t imagine him punching someone. The thought of him being punched made me sick. I can’t wait for the day when he retires from boxing because while I support everything he does, I don’t like watching him fighting at all.’’

Jeff, Joanna and Isabelle at a pre-fight function in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

This week Jeff and Jo took turns pushing Isabelle in a stroller as they checked out the shops and sights of the Las Vegas strip like a pair of young holiday-makers.

They even had a romantic cruise on a replica of a Venetian canal, complete with gondola and a tenor singing Italian arias.

“Jo and Isabelle are the main reasons I fight,’’ said Horn, 30.

“I want to give them the best life I possibly can and make as much money from the sport as I can while I can.

“I love Jo and Isabelle to bits. Jo is such a gentle, calm person and she has kept me grounded ever since we started going out more than 10 years ago.’’

In November 2012, Horn and Jo went to the Gold Coast for a short holiday after Horn had returned from the London Olympics. His two older sisters Rebecca and Bianca had arrived at the hotel before them and decorated the room with dozens of roses.

Jo was amazed at the colourful, fragrant display and wondered what all the fuss was about.

On the CD system Horn had a love song playing called “More Than Words”.

Out on the hotel balcony, as Jo wondered what he was up to, Horn went down on bended knee and asked the sweetest person he’s ever known to marry him.

“Marrying Jo was much better than winning a world title,’’ Horn said.

“I couldn’t have become world champion without her love and support and with Jo and Isabelle behind me I know I can achieve anything.’’

Jeff Horn v Terence Crawford Pay Per View will be broadcast on Foxtel Channel 507.

To order: www.mainevent.com.au