Horn vs Crawford : The Fight for Respect

People have been writing Jeff Horn off his entire career, and it’s about time he was given some respect.

Every step he has made in his fight career, has come with doubters.

The Manny Pacquiao camp tried to discredit his famous victory over the Filipino legend at Suncorp Stadium to save their marketability.

Roy Jones did the same when he was crushed by Danny Green.

It’s what you do when you underestimate your opponent and pay the price.

Both Jones and Pacquiao cried foul, blaming those “corrupt Aussies”, when the only unjust thing was the way both prepared for the fight.

They overlooked the man in front of them and it cost them.

The Pacquiao fight was a close fight, but not a robbery. Good judges had no complaints, even Pacquiao agreed, at least in the ring, following the decision.

Since his victory, Horn has unjustly had an asterix placed against him and his title win has been considered a nuisance, rather than the unearthing of a genuine star.

Horn’s win disrupted grand plans and future fights for Pacquiao and other Bob Arum managed stars.

As champion, rather than dictate terms, Horn has been toyed with.

The Pacquiao rematch was next on the cards, and then it wasn’t. It was going to be held in Brisbane, then it wasn’t.

Then it was the Philippines’, then the United States, then Pacquiao was going to be on the undercard, and hopefully fight the Horn-Crawford winner next. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.

All the while Horn kept his head down and jumped when Bob Arum and Top Rank told him too.

Horn had every right to have put his feet up, and spend time with his first child, Isabelle, born in December. Instead he’s been training and has had almost two full fights camps in preparation for Crawford.

Originally scheduled for April 14, the fight was postponed after Crawford suffered a hand injury.

In a further sign of disrespect, the two will fight for Horn’s WBO Welterweight title this Sunday, a date that clashes with UFC 225, headlined by Australian Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

That decision will vastly hurt the pay packet of Horn, with Australian pay-per view sales to take a significant hit. That’s not to say Horn isn’t a draw but asking the public to shell out $50 for both fights, only the most ardent fans will do so.

The Queenslander had every right to say the date didn’t work for him. But he didn’t.

Horn doesn’t make excuses. He just gets back to work. Another obstacle to overcome.

Crawford will be the toughest fight of his career, tougher than Pacquiao. At 32-0, his resume is impressive, but lacking any real big names.

Crawford is now Top Rank’s Golden Goose, a man who will lead their new TV deal with ESPN and is earmarked for the top of the pound for pound tree.

A future fight with Errol Spence Jr is already being widely discussed, as if victory over Horn is a sure thing.

Just like Pacquaio, the Horn fight is considered step one, on a wider, long term plan.

Crawford has moved up a division, handed a world title shot and looks set for big fights to come.

Few Stateside see Horn pulling off another upset. Many still can’t get his name right. Most credit the Pacquiao victory as “right place, right time” against an ageing champion.

But it’s time people give Horn the credit he deserves.

Jeff Horn won a Queensland amateur title, after just one fight, and an unofficial one at that.

He followed it up with an Australian title. Went to the Olympics, and followed that with a legit World Title win, over a Hall of Famer, at the first time of asking.

Jeff Horn has made a habit of proving people wrong.

Since defeating Pacquiao, he has silently gone about his work. The Crawford fight will be his third in a 11-month period.

Horn is sharp, supremely fit and rightfully has a chip on his shoulder. He’s big for a welterweight, has great endurance and has power in his shots. The most remarkable asset though is his composure on the big stage.

The world of boxing, and the Australian public may not appreciate him for the world class fighter he is. But come Sunday, win or lose, they will respect him.

The thing is, Horn is a winner, even when no one gives him a hope, he finds a way.

A win on Sunday is no guarantee, but should his hand get raised in Las Vegas, it's time the boxing world recognise his talent.

Then things can get done on Jeff Horn's terms.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Mayweather fights for his place in history

* MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: FIGHT OF THE CENTURY - PREVIEW

Floyd Mayweather says he's the best ever. He’s even got the clothing line to prove it.

Some consider such a claim to be trademark Mayweather brashness, another act in ‘Being the Bad Guy 101’ or an attempt to generate publicity and subsequently ticket sales and pay-per-view buys.

Many are content to waive such claims away, but honestly, why isn't he at least in the conversation.

Mayweather is 47-0, his record reads like a Hall of Fame class – Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Diego Corrales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Arturo Gatti, Saul Alvarez and Zab Judah have all been vanquished.

Almost all were comprehensive, with only De La Hoya giving him a significant test.

It is a record matched only by Rocky Marciano, who went 49-0 as a heavyweight.

Now, records aren’t everything, and you can punch holes in the records of many big names, but why should Mayweather not be considered amongst the greats, such as Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Marciano and Muhammad Ali?

The reason people don’t consider him in that calibre is because simply, he's disliked.

He’s considered too flashy, an egomaniac, only in it for the money.

They are just a few of the reasons. Not to mention his domestic violence charges and other misconduct.

This week he came out claiming he was better than Muhammad Ali and people scoffed - How are you better than our champion?

But you have to remember there was a time when Muhammad Ali was public enemy number one, in the same way Mayweather is today.

Many people hated him simply because of his background. Some labelled him ‘champ’ and many more labelled him by the colour of his skin.

Others called him a coward and a draft dodger, for being a conscientious objector when conscripted to fight for the United States in the Vietnam War.

Some simply hated him because he was a Muslim or because he walked to the beat of his own drum.

But with the grace of time his public image has softened. 

These days he is loved by all. The days of public hatred are long gone and he is simply judged on his legacy.

That's where Mayweather is lacking.

Ali is most remembered for his epics with George Foreman and Joe Frazier.

‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘Thriller in Manilla’ is gospel in the sport.

They are forever intertwined with boxing, and for many it’s their first taste of the sweet science.

At this moment Mayweather doesn't have a fight of such magnitude on his record.

Yes, he's fought future hall of famers, but up until now there's been an asterix next to his name.

He's beaten them all, but there's one name left to beat.

To be truly considered a great he needs to beat the other man with any real claims, Manny Pacquiao, the only man to ever win a world title in eight different weight divisions.

The fight may be long overdue, but I’m glad it’s happening, the final box on each mans application to the legendary tier of boxing will be complete.

I’d argue there is greatness in seeking greatness. Sometimes only the legend is willing to lay it all on the line to prove he is the better man.

It is important to consider too, that as much as you are judged on what you have done, you'll also be judged on what happens after you're gone.

Ali is remembered for his charisma, more so now in a time when the Heavyweight division is crying out for some. 

The swiftness of his movements around the boxing ring, the footwork, the showmanship, all remembered now more fondly in a time of robotic beasts.

Will anyone come and do what Mayweather has done in this modern era of the sport?

Only time will tell.

Watching Mayweather in the lead up to this fight you can see he is very different.

He's quiet. He knows the fight will define his career and the legacy he will leave.

Many years down the line, they won’t remember the box office records, the clothing line, the lack of endorsements and public popularity; they’ll judge Mayweather the fighter, the skills, the victories, the performances on those big Vegas night’s when the entire world was watching.

Mayweather has been subdued in the lead up because he can feel the pressure. He has everything to lose. The undefeated record. The crowd as boxing’s pound for pound king.

Comparing fighters across eras is a hard thing to do. There are new weight classes, time limits, titles, purses, rules and hundreds of years of evolution.

But when judging the greats there is always that one fight for which they’ll forever be remembered. When they took on the best and beat them.

Now it is Mayweather’s turn.

When history looks back on the career of Floyd Mayweather Jr, who knows if he’ll ever one day be considered the greatest, but a win on Sunday may just put him in the conversation.

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