WBO world welterweight champion Jeff Horn is in action in Brisbane, Australia this week as he takes on the challenge of Gary Corcoran. As a former Olympic representative, Horn was already one of the biggest names in Australian boxing when he burst onto the world scene this past July with a WBO title win over Manny Pacquiao. That win and the WBO belt make him a player in the talent-laden welterweight division.
Corcoran brings a strong 17-1 record to the match but all of his prior fights have been in the U.K. It is a long trip and he is facing a guy in Horn who has a lot of momentum. The lone loss of his career came to Liam Williams, who went on two lose a pair of fights against former world champion Liam Smith after beating Corcoran.
Horn filled up Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for his fight with Manny Pacquiao, That fight came after a lot of negotiations and he lured Pacquiao “Down Under” with a big payday. Horn had been groomed for that fight since turning pro after representing Australia at the Olympics. Though Pacquiao feels he did enough to win the fight, Horn put on a solid performance and showed he was not out of his league. This fight with Corcoran gives him the chance at a successful title defense before he gets a taste of the elite in the welterweight division. Terence Crawford held multiple world titles at 140 pounds before moving up to welterweight and he has been promised a shot at Horn in the new year. When Horn fought Pacquaio he entered into Bob Arum and Top Rank’s sphere of influence, so it makes sense that at some point he will face Crawford, who is also guided by Top Rank. Avoiding that match-up and defending against the likes of Corcoran behooves Horn and his handlers at this point in his career. Horn is expected to get by Corcoran, and if he does, his next opponent will be a very interesting choice.
The undercard features several bouts getting attention at the books. Of particular interest is the Alex Leapai versus Roger Izonritei heavyweight bout. Leapai retired in 2015 after three straight losses, including a loss in a world title attempt against Wladimir Klitschko. Leapai returned in October of this year and he won an 8 round bout against a fighter with a 2-5 record. Leapai is looking to put together a streak of wins to justify one last payday, and with a WBO world title in the hands of Joseph Parker in nearby New Zealand, Leapai wants to put together a winning streak here.
Wed 12/13 – Convention & Exhibition Centre – Brisbane, Australia – ESPN
Welterweight 12 rounds –
Gary Corcoran +525
Jeff Horn -750
Super Middleweight 10 rounds –
Rohan Murdock -900
Apti Ustarkhanov +500
Bantamweight 8 rounds –
Kleopatra Tolnai +1100
Shannon O’Connell -2300
Welterweight 8 rounds –
Nestor Faccio +1770
Leonardo Zappavigna -5300
Heavyweight 8 rounds –
Roger Izonritei +1100
Alex Leapai -2300
