3 minute read

Former world champion Jeff Horn will officially retire from boxing, almost three years since his last fight and exactly six since he dethroned Manny Pacquiao.

Jeff Horn will finally, officially hang up his boxing gloves three years since he last left the ring.

The Brisbane 35-year-old is set to call time on his career on Sunday in a media conference at Suncorp Stadium, exactly six years after he famously shocked legend Manny Pacquiao at the venue to win a world title.

Horn (20-3-1) defended his WBO welterweight belt once, before a loss to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas in 2018.

He then beat Anthony Mundine and split two fights with Michael Zerafa, before Tim Tszyu stepped out of his shadows in a dominating victory in Townsville in August, 2020.

That loss felt like a swan song for Horn, but he has never confirmed his retirement despite remaining inactive.

The humble, tough champion and former teacher was bullied at school before taking up boxing, winning over the Australian boxing fraternity with his classic underdog story.

Horn's huge upset win over Pacquiao has been credited for reviving the sport in Australia in the post-Kostya Tszyu era.

"It went through a lull - and the fight game is renowned for this - sometimes when you think you're a nail away from sealing the coffin, someone will come in and take it to great heights," champion coach Johnny Lewis told AAP last year.

"It's the fight that will define him and captured the nation's imagination."