Ni Gilbert Espeña

NAPANATILI ni WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn ang kanyang korona at malinis na karta nang maghagis ng tuwalya ang korner ng kanyang karibal na si Briton Gary Corcoron sanhi ng malubhang putok sa kilay para sa 11th round TKO nitong Miyerkules (Huwebes sa Manila) sa Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre sa Australia.

Tulad ng kontrobersiyal na panalo niya sa dating kampeon na si Manny Pacquiao ng Pilipinas, duguan ang mukha ni Horn at walang nagawa si Corcoran sa madalas niyang pang-uulo kaya naputukan ng kilay.

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“He definitely pushed me in there,” sabi ni Horn matapos itaas ni Referee Benj Esteves ang kanyang kamay eksaktong 1:35 ng 11th round “My timing was a bit off, but I managed to get him out of there in the end. I was just getting my timing [early in the fight]. The whole fight, I felt it was a little bit off tonight, but I managed to clip him with a few good ones and then, unfortunately, our heads did come together. We’ve both got cuts on our heads. That’s a bit of a shame, but most of it was caused by the punches, I’m pretty sure.”

“The 29-year-old Horn (18-0-1, 12 KOs) defended the WBO welterweight title he won by upsetting Pacquiao on July 2 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane,” ayon sa ulat ng Boxingscene.com. “The Philippines’ Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) was heavily favored over the unknown Horn entering that bout, but Horn won a unanimous decision that was widely considered controversial.”

Sa pagwawagi, obligado si Horn na idepensa ang kanyang titulo kay mandatory contender at wala ring talong si dating undisputed light welterweight champion Terence Crawford ngunit hindi na sa Australia gagawin ang laban kundi sa Las Vegas, Nevada na teritoryo naman ng Amerikano.

“Look, it’s a big possibility,” sabi ni Horn sa kanyang laban kay Crawford sa Abril. “If that’s what everyone wants to see, that’s what’s gonna happen. It’s all the entertainment business, of course.”