Gary Corcoran is unlikely to actually bite Jeff Horn’s ear. Or whatever other body part he was alluding to this week when he said he would bite Horn to counteract any attempt at headbutting. But it’s a clever enough move. Everyone will talk about his comment. And then focus on Horn.
When he fought Manny Pacquiao, Horn was something of an unknown quantity outside of Australia. Now he has to be more aware in his voluntary title defence in Brisbane. The WBO Welterweight title holder won’t be used to the scrutiny; all though that isn’t to say he won’t be able for it.
Horn has said, in his defence, that the inevitable clashing of heads is a by-product of his tendency to fight close. Horn says he fights hard but fair. Corcoran’s manager Peter Stanley says the Brisbane pugilist would have to train to fight head first. In other words, that it’s intentional. Again though, whether it is intentional or not, Stanley and Corcoran, are protecting their interests.
Either way, there will be heightened awareness and Horn will inevitably be aware. But he will be able. He had to go through the nonsense of having his win over Pacquiao reviewed by an independent panel of five anonymous judges. It was a fallout of the reaction to the scoring in Brisbane.
The panel – who had to re-score the fight, having watched it without sound nor any other external input – unsurprisingly backed up the original result. Unsurprising, because the initial result was correct. Even if it was unexpected, unfashionable and to the distaste of those who thought they knew better. Pacquiao knew he had lost on the night, and he looked his 38 years.
Horn has been promised a battle, a war no less. And a war of attrition it will most likely become. It will probably not be a night of technical fighting, nuances or adroit movement. It is more likely to be something of a slug-fest.
This was mirrored in the comments of Corcoran, who said: “Horn is a tough come-forward fighter like me so it’s going to be a very tough, physical fight and I believe I can beat him at that game. It will be an exciting fight, the two of us coming together, throwing punches. I’m very strong. I’m only a welterweight but I’ve beaten up middleweights and this is the chance of a lifetime for me.’’
Corcoran, of Irish descent, will need little motivation ahead of the midweek fight in Brisbane on Wednesday evening. However, if he does find himself needing to draw from the well at any stage, he could reflect on the comments of Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton, who believes Horn will attain a knockout in the eight, or ninth round.
In context, Rushton has spoken of Corcoran with respect. But Corcoran knows he is the underdog and is aware of the magnitude of the occasion. A win for Corcoran might not send quite the same shockwaves as Horn did when he beat Pacquiao, but it would be quite an outcome all the same.
Brisbane expects for Horn. And bigger names await. Bigger nights. But when momentum, aggression and intensity are coming at you without restraint, you don’t look into the distance to see what’s next. Horn will be smart enough to know that. He should also be strong enough. Expect the home crowd to go home content and also to have gotten their money's worth.
