?WE?RE living the dream.?
That is Jeff Horn?s constant reminder from manager Glenn Rushton as they walk to the ring, which turns the Acacia Ridge resident from a nice guy to the fearless competitor that his opponents see after the first bell.
The dream of Horn, who was previously a relief teacher at Springwood State High School ? and is still involved, was a step closer to reality last week when he squared off with the man he will face for the WBO Welterweight title at Suncorp Stadium on July 2 in boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, during a promotional week for the fight.
Throughout the build-up to the bout, Horn has been touted by most as the ?Mr Nice? of boxing but Rushton said that would all change come July 2 in front of more than 50,000 fans at one of Australia?s most iconic sporting venues. ?Jeff is truly the nice guy that everyone is seeing now but that doesn?t mean he doesn?t turn into an animal in the ring,? Rushton said.
?When he hits that ring, there is no more Mr Nice Guy. That?s when Jeff turns into ?The Hornet?.
?He?s a relentless competitor, who will keep coming at you. The same as Manny really. There is no villain in this fight, they?re both nice guys. But that will all change when it?s all on the line in the ring.?
Rushton said the pair had been through so many fights together, which made it easy to flick the switch from Horn?s normal personality to the competitor in the ring.
?I talk to Jeff constantly during the warm-up, to slowly get his mind and body prepared. Before we go out, I usually remind him that we are living the dream.
?We?ve done it so many times now so it is not that hard these days.?
Horn was also a member at the Stretton Boxing Club, where all of the athletes were excited to see a teammate preparing for his dream fight. ?There?s a close bond with all the guys at the club,? Rushton said.
