Reaction to Jeff Horn’s win over Gary Corcoran

JEFF Horn’s stunning title defence puts him in the box seat to make it big in the US, but doubters say he’ll be mincemeat for his next opponent.

Australian boxer Jeff Horn is on a warpath.

THE champion lives.

Jeff Horn successfully defended his welterweight crown won from Manny Pacquiao earlier in the year with a convincing TKO thrashing of Gary Corcoran in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Horn started off slow against the British contender but re-emerged in the second half of the fight. Two nasty cuts opened up over Corcoran’s eyes in the later rounds, forcing his team to ask referee Benjy Esteves Jr stop the fight.

Corcoran admitted he couldn’t see because of the blood flowing into his eyes. He looked devastated that his own team had made the call, knowing he was still prepared to eat the flurry of punches Horn was beginning to land.

“I felt my timing was a bit off but I got him in the end,” Horn admitted after the bout. “The whole fight I felt I was a little bit off tonight. I knew he was coming here prepared. They were talking a smart game ... they definitely pushed me in there.”

Here’s how the world reacted to the Hornet’s latest win.

‘I’M SHOCKED’: HORN’S NEXT MOVE SLAMMED

An army of American boxing experts and journalists were quick to shout Horn down after his historic upset of Manny Pacquiao in July.

Iconic sportscaster Stephen A. Smith said the Aussie’s decision win over the Filipino was “horrible”, while commentator Teddy Atlas accused judges in Brisbane of giving the win “to the local kid for trying hard”.

Five months later, it appears those overseas are still doubtful of Horn’s ability to make it outside his home country.

Horn’s win strengthened rumours he’ll be fighting Terence Crawford, one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world — but his doubters say his undefeated record is in for a huge shock if he takes on the former two-weight world champion.

BlackSportsOnline (BSO) CEO Robert Littal said he was “shocked they were pushing Jeff Horn” for a fight with the 30-year-old, while LA Time sports reporter Lance Pugmire said the Queenslander would be “overwhelmed” by Crawford.

🤗🤗🤗🤗

— Terence Crawford (@budcrawford402) December 13, 2017

Admire Horn’s toughness but thought he lost the Pacquiao fight and believe he’ll be overwhelmed by @budcrawford402

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) December 13, 2017

what’s the longest Jeff Horn could go with Bud? i can’t see ANY scenario where he lasts longer than 3. #boxing

— Vinnie the Chin (@vinnie_paz) December 13, 2017

Crawford annihilates Jeff Horn. Easy belt to win at 147.

— Si Thompson (@TheSiThompson) December 13, 2017

I think it's already apparent that Crawford destroys Horn next if he gets through this test #HornCorcoran

— Jack Rathborn (@JackRathborn) December 13, 2017

Crawford himself said he would have Horn’s measure if they met in the ring.

“Jeff Horn did what he had to do to get the job done tonight but I’m a totally different fighter than Gary Corcoran. I have more power and more speed than Corcoran. When he steps in to the ring with me, it’s going to be a very different story,” he said.

When the wheels were still in motion trying to finalise Horn’s bout against Pacquiao, the Filipino’s camp spectacularly claimed it would bail on the fight and instead face Amir Khan. Khan sledged both Pacquiao and Horn after the Aussie’s latest victory, mocking the abilities of both men.

Watching the Horn v Corcoran fight live, Now I know why #MannyPacquiao picked horn to fight & not me,,,, & he still lost 🙈🙊

— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) December 13, 2017

CAN HORN MAKE A US SPLASH?

Will the Hornet steal the USA’s heart?

Despite his doubters, Horn’s US promoter Bob Arum says the Brisbane boy could make a significant splash in the States, claiming the sport has long been waiting for a role model.

“Jeff Horn can be a major mainstream star in the United States,” Arum said.

“Boxing has been crying out for a kid like this for so long. He’s a great, great fighter, a good looking clean cut schoolteacher married to his high school sweetheart.

“A lot of people in boxing don’t necessarily speak well or politely but butter wouldn’t melt in this kid’s mouth. He’s a great role model for young fighters.’’

‘I MEAN IT, SHE WILL KILL ME’

Horn’s trip to the US to face Crawford, which is expected to take place in April 2018, is facing a tight window as the Aussie deals with family commitments.

The 29-year-old said it doesn’t matter what an opponent could do to him in the ring, because missing his sister’s wedding in the same month would have far worse ramifications.

“She will kill me if I have to miss the wedding for a fight. I mean it — she will kill me,” he told the Courier Mail.