By Aus-Boxing.com

FOR the best part of fourteen professional fights, Jeff Horn had hardly looked challenged.

The undefeated former Olympian cruised to national honours in just five fights and he was world rated after just eight. Like every fighter before him, the dexterous Horn (14-0-1, 9 KOs) was always going to face adversity at some point in his fledgling career; with that moment came in his last outing.

The 28-year-old Brisbane resident fought former IBF welterweight titleholder and the aptly nicknamed ‘Knockout King’ Randall Bailey in April at the Brisbane Convention Centre, where he proved there was an equally capable chin behind his blistering attack.

Bailey caught Horn with a thudding right hand in the third round of their ten-round unified regional title fight, and for the best part of a minute, it looked as if Horn was on the verge of suffering a surprise defeat. However, Horn proved his mettle and showed maturity beyond his years, surviving the third stanza before mauling the American for the best part of seven rounds.

In a candid interview, Horn explains why the Bailey challenge was daunting in more ways than one.

“The fight with Randall was a frightening fight to come back to,” said Horn to Aus-Boxing. “Especially after my throat operation and with his record of knocking guys out. He almost got me – but I found my chin can hold up – so that’s good.”

“I was forced to fight a much more experienced opponent, who rocked me good and perforated my ear drum in the process. The way I came back after that just proves to myself that I have the mental strength for this crazy sport I compete in.”

Horn, who was Australia’s best performed boxer in 2015, winning Fighter of the Year honours, returns to action on Friday night against ambiguous IBF #14 rated German Rico Mueller at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler.

The IBF #4 rated Horn will make the fourth defence of his IBF Inter-Contiental welterweight bauble with the winner likely earning the number two spot currently held by American prodigy Errol Spence Jr.

“I believe Rico Mueller will be a strong opponent with a great guard,” explained Horn about his German opponent. “It will be difficult to penetrate his defence and land clean shots. He will be hungry for the win because he will be pushed up to number two in the world if he does.”

The fight will be Horn’s second appearance for the year with the lure of much bigger opportunities in the near future.

Earlier in the year, Horn was offered a shot at then-reigning WBO light middleweight champion Liam Smith, who would later lose his undefeated record and world title to Canelo Alvarez in September. But as Horn admits, there is no expiration date on his plans to not only challenge for but win a world title.

“I was offered a world title shot at light middleweight against Liam Smith at short notice after the Bailey fight,” he continued. “I did not feel the need to jump up in weight and with the short notice, we decided against that fight. I was also booked to go to America for six weeks after the Bailey fight.”

“A fight against Errol Spence is definitely one in the pipeline and a fight that looks likely. Especially if I reach number two after this fight and if Kell Brook vacates his belt.”

Having campaigned professionally for just over three years, Horn’s development is still in its infancy. And while he has progressed at a rapid rate, much similar to that of his promotional stablemate Joseph Parker, Horn sees it as a matter of time before the marquee opportunities from abroad come calling in a very big way.

“I definitely see myself fighting and beating the top guys in the future,” he concluded. “I know it can sound cocky saying things like that, but it’s the way you have to think in boxing to succeed. You give your opponent an inch and they will take a mile.”