The boxing world is bracing itself for a massive showdown as the legendary Filipino fighter Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao prepares to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship against a determined Australian challenger, Jeff “The Hornet” Horn. Scheduled for July 2, 2017, at the iconic Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, this highly anticipated event has officially been dubbed the “Battle of Brisbane.”
Jeff Horn
While Pacquiao enters the ring with global fame and an unmatched sports legacy, many international fans are left wondering about the identity and background of his opponent. Born on February 4, 1988, right in the heart of Brisbane, the 5’9” (175 cm) fighter has quietly built an impressive athletic and personal resume that proves he is far more than just an underdog filling a slot on a fight card.
Fighting
Long before entering the professional ranks, Horn proved his mettle on the international stage as a standout amateur light welterweight boxer. He proudly represented Australia at the 2012 London Olympic Games, making a commendable run to the quarter-finals. During that prestigious tournament, he secured impressive victories over Gilbert Choombe of Zambia and Abderrazak Houya of Tunisia before his Olympic medal hopes were ultimately halted by Denys Berinchyk of Ukraine.
Transitioning to the professional circuit, Horn maintained a flawless momentum under the guidance of his trainer, Glenn Rushton, who balances his boxing passion with a career as a Brisbane investment manager. Together, they have guided Horn to an undefeated professional record consisting of 16 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw. Showcasing significant power, 11 of those victories came by way of knockout, while the remaining 5 were secured via judges’ decisions.
Interestingly, Horn has never fought as a professional outside the comfort of Australia and New Zealand. Along his journey, he has collected seven distinct professional titles, including the Australian National Welterweight Title, WBO Oriental Welterweight Title, WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title, Pan Asian Boxing Association Welterweight Title, WBA Pan African Welterweight Title, interim WBA Oceania Welterweight Title, and the IBF Intercontinental Welterweight Title.
Education
Beyond his ferocious demeanor inside the ropes, Horn leads a remarkably grounded life rooted in education, family, and community service. He graduated from Griffith University in Brisbane with a bachelor of education degree, specializing in health and physical education and fitness.
Horn utilized his degree in the real world. He has worked as a physical education teacher for Grade 4 and 5 students at Pallara State School in Pallara, Queensland alongside actress Jo Christiaans, and has also served as a supply teacher at Brisbane State High School in Brisbane.
Family
Horn’s journey into combat sports actually stemmed from a vulnerable place; he has been happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Joanna Horn, since 2014, and he once confided in her that he originally took up boxing after being beaten up by school bullies. His athletic roots also extend to soccer, a sport he dedicated 12 years of his life to while playing for the Lions and Acacia Ridge.
Fighting, however, runs deep in Jeff’s bloodline. His paternal grandfather, Ray Horn, used to put on exhibition boxing matches in outback Queensland all the way back in the 1930s.
Furthermore, Jeff is well-connected within his local community. His father, Jeff Horn Sr., is a local builder and a cousin of Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. Jeff’s mother, Leasa Dykstra, dedicates her time working for the emergency relief department of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. As the “Battle of Brisbane” approaches, this schoolteacher-turned-contender will look to channel his deep family legacy and hometown pride to shock the world.
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