LAS VEGAS -- In the summer of 2017 Jeff Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs) burst onto the world stage when he scored a major upset victory over then WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao. On June 9 Horn will attempt to make the second successful defense of that WBO title when he takes on Terence Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs) on ESPN+.
Horn is a orthodox fighter with a rough and tumble style. He doesn't possess one-punch knockout power but he does have a thudding power that can break opponents down. Horn doesn't have much of a jab but his left hook is decent and his right hand is a dangerous weapon. Most of his knockouts have come from that right hand and he's the type of fighter who doesn't mind eating a few punches to land one of his own.
The Australian fighter is not without his flaws though. He really squares up on the inside when he's on the attack and that could be very dangerous against Crawford. Horn does have a size advantage though since he's spent his entire career fighting as a welterweight while Saturday will be Crawford's first fight in the division. Many feel that Horn's victory over Pacquiao was a gift, especially since the fight took place in his native country. Still, what the judges say goes and Horn is still technically an unbeaten fighter. Some of his other notable wins came against Ali Funeka and Randall Bailey but beating Crawford would really legitimize his reign as champion.
Crawford is a boxer-puncher who usually begins fights out of the orthodox stance before switching to southpaw. He is currently ranked as the number three pound-for-pound fighter in the sport by Big Time Boxing and he moves to the welterweight division after already cleaning out the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions. Among his notable wins are victories over Yuriorkis Gamboa, Raymundo Beltran, Hank Lundy, Viktor Postol, and Julius Indongo.
What makes Crawford so dangerous besides his ability to switch stances is the fact that he has a real
mean streak. Crawford is at his best once he's been tagged by a few good shots and that isn't always easy to do because he is a good defensive fighter. The Nebraska native is a slow starter who uses the first few rounds to dissect opponents before picking them apart, however, like he showed against Indongo, he can get an opponent out of there quickly. As an orthodox fighter Crawford has a good left hook and strong straight right hand but he's actually stronger as a southpaw where he has a very stiff jab and brutal right hook.
The biggest advantage Horn will have in this fight is size. Although he's only an inch taller than Crawford and actually gives up 2-inches in reach, he is the naturally larger man who's spent years fighting as a welterweight. Crawford's advantages will be in hand speed and footwork where Horn is very awkward. Look for Horn to start quickly in this fight and try to stay on the inside. Horn will want to make this a rough fight with a lot of clinches and will look to do most of his work with his right hand. Meanwhile Crawford will look to frustrate Horn by switching stances and using his superior footwork while he picks his spots to sit down on his punches and unleash on Horn.
PREDICTION: Jeff Horn has been known to cut in fights before and he will be cut in this one as well. Things will be rough in spots but Terence Crawford will consistently get the better of the action and Horn's cuts will be his downfall as Crawford stops him in the 11th round.
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| A bloodied Horn catching Manny Pacquiao on the chin |
The Australian fighter is not without his flaws though. He really squares up on the inside when he's on the attack and that could be very dangerous against Crawford. Horn does have a size advantage though since he's spent his entire career fighting as a welterweight while Saturday will be Crawford's first fight in the division. Many feel that Horn's victory over Pacquiao was a gift, especially since the fight took place in his native country. Still, what the judges say goes and Horn is still technically an unbeaten fighter. Some of his other notable wins came against Ali Funeka and Randall Bailey but beating Crawford would really legitimize his reign as champion.
Crawford is a boxer-puncher who usually begins fights out of the orthodox stance before switching to southpaw. He is currently ranked as the number three pound-for-pound fighter in the sport by Big Time Boxing and he moves to the welterweight division after already cleaning out the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions. Among his notable wins are victories over Yuriorkis Gamboa, Raymundo Beltran, Hank Lundy, Viktor Postol, and Julius Indongo.
What makes Crawford so dangerous besides his ability to switch stances is the fact that he has a real
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| Crawford dropping Julius Indongo |
The biggest advantage Horn will have in this fight is size. Although he's only an inch taller than Crawford and actually gives up 2-inches in reach, he is the naturally larger man who's spent years fighting as a welterweight. Crawford's advantages will be in hand speed and footwork where Horn is very awkward. Look for Horn to start quickly in this fight and try to stay on the inside. Horn will want to make this a rough fight with a lot of clinches and will look to do most of his work with his right hand. Meanwhile Crawford will look to frustrate Horn by switching stances and using his superior footwork while he picks his spots to sit down on his punches and unleash on Horn.
PREDICTION: Jeff Horn has been known to cut in fights before and he will be cut in this one as well. Things will be rough in spots but Terence Crawford will consistently get the better of the action and Horn's cuts will be his downfall as Crawford stops him in the 11th round.
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