New Aussie sporting hero Jeff Horn set for fame and fortune

NEW Aussie sporting hero Jeff Horn is about to strike it rich, say marketing experts. And Victoria is in the race to land his title defence later this year.

New WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn poses for selfies with fans in Brisbane.

• Jeff Horn stuns Manny Pacquiao in Brisbane bloodbath
• New champion Jeff Horn calls out Floyd Mayweather

AUSTRALIA’S latest sporting hero could soon become one of the nation’s richest athletes.

Global fame and fortune is about to be showered on schoolteacher turned boxing champion Jeff Horn.

The new WBO welterweight champion is set to cash in on his history-making defeat of the legendary Manny Pacquiao.

Sponsors, promoters and fans could deliver a knockout payday in and out of the ring.

With Victoria in the race to land a title defence and possibly even a rematch later this year, marketing experts said the sky was the limit for the Queenslander, who took up boxing to fight off bullies.

Newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn poses with his belt. Picture: AFP

If the fairytale continues, he could be Australia’s $50 million man or the ­inspiration for a Hollywood movie.

Victoria University sport business Professor Hans Wes­terbeek said Horn, 29, could enter a new stratosphere of earning if he defended his title.

“He has been likened to Rocky, but he’s the genuine story and the fact he is humble and from a working class background is always a good foundation for a story,” he said.

“If this isn’t a one hit wonder it will definitely end up in the realms of storytelling in books and movies, and that kind of stuff can make you very wealthy.”

Horn is expected to earn about $1 million from Sunday’s victory, but that would be dwarfed by a likely November rematch and future fights.

He has already called out Floyd Mayweather, with the US boxer pocketing $200 million beating Pacquiao in 2015.

Jeff Horn has already called out Floyd Mayweather.

Jeff Horn and wife Jo at home in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane. Picture: Adam Head

If he can get Mayweather in the ring, Westerbeek said Horn was “going to deliver a big pay cheque.”

“He’s now the champion and if you attract an opponent who lures a big audience than is when the till really starts to tick over,” he said.

Horn said he was happy to fly to the US, if required, for a rematch.

“I would prefer to come back here and fight in Queensland or Australia but, look, there is always a chance that the fight could possibly be made in America,” he said.

Deakin University sports management senior lecturer Adam Karg said Horn’s story was significant.

“If he fights in another division he will get $US2 million minimum and if he fights Pacquiao in a rematch he will get a much bigger percentage.

“But the big one will be if he can fight Mayweather — and I would put that in the ballpark of $50 million.”

Pacquiao’s contract inclu­ded a rematch clause that puts Suncorp Stadium in the box seat to hold a return bout.

But by Monday, when a battle-scarred Horn emerged with a face full of bruises and stitches, there was already speculation a rematch could be in Las Vegas or Melbourne.

“Victoria is the place to do it,” Sports Minister John Eren said.

“We have one of the most prestigious and successful major events calendars in the world.

“While we can’t comment on individual events, we’ll continue to invest in the big occasions that bring people to Victoria, create jobs and boost our economy.”

VICTORY RANKS ABOVE BIGGEST UPSETS IN OUR HISTORY

IN terms of the legendary deeds of his opponent and a modest CV by comparison, Jeff Horn’s win over Manny Pacquiao rates as the biggest upset in Australian boxing history.

It is the most significant in boxing and right up there with the most stunning in our proud sporting history.

The America’s Cup in 1983 springs to mind, given the US had held it for 122 years.

Or Kieren Perkins out of lane eight in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic 1500m freestyle?

Maybe Collingwood upsetting the Melbourne juggernaut in the 1958 Grand Final.

Or Michelle Payne and Prince of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

Jeff Horn celebrates his win.

Just like Steven Bradbury in the 1000m speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics, they were underdogs all but forever etched into our memories after winning against the odds.

For my boxing memories, Horn’s win was bigger than the come-from-behind knockout victory of Jeff “Hitman” Harding over WBC light heavyweight champ Dennis Andries in 1989 in Atlantic City.

More startling than a teenage Lester Ellis claiming the IBF junior lightweight title from South Korea’s Hwan-Kil Yuh in just his 15th profess­ional fight in 1985.

Not as brutal but a bigger shock than when Jimmy Carruthers demolished unbeaten South African Vic Toweel in Johannesburg for the world bantamweight title in 1952.

And arguably even more of a surprise than 19-year-old Aboriginal Lionel Rose overcoming the might of Fighting Harada in Tokyo in 1968, Harada having lost just three of his 52 fights including five defences of his world bantamweight title.

But as great as Harada was, he couldn’t match the achievements of Pacquiao, which makes Horn top of the pops in my book of boxing upsets.

Yes, Pacquiao at 38 isn’t the fighter he once was, although Horn may beg to differ after the ninth round on Monday.

But Pacquiao has continued to fight high calibre rivals in ­recent years, mostly winning.

What Horn has to do now is prove it wasn’t a fluke. Beat Pacman in their rematch and then lure a big name fighter for some serious coin.

He has an advantage as world champion, allowing him to choose the venue, which you imagine would again be Suncorp Stadium.

The difference will be the cheque, which will be closer to $5 million than the $1 million he is thought to have earned on Monday.

— Jon Anderson

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