Boxing from the land down under

JEFF HORN TARGETNG ROB BRANT AT MIDDLEWEIGHT

Jeff Horn’s team have revealed they have opened negotiations with Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum with a view to securing a shot at WBA ‘regular’ middleweight champion Rob Brant 25-1 (17).

The former WBO welterweight champion has a record of 19-1-1 (13) and is coming off a first-round destruction of compatriot Anthony Mundine in a 157-pound catchweight bout last November.

“We thought Jeff went really well at the higher weight,” promoter Dean Lonergan said to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We’ve only just started discussions. Rob won well on the weekend, he won in the 11th round but dominated the whole fight.

“We think it’s a great style for Jeff and would make for one hell of a fight. He’s an incredibly busy fighter and it just comes down to whether we can make the deal work. In a perfect world, we would do it in Australia but we’ll see what happens.”

American Brant, 28, looked impressive stopping previously undefeated Russian Khasan Baysangurov 17-1 (7) at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota last Friday night.

LIAM PARO SURVIVES INJURY SCARE TO OUTPOINT MASSIMILIANO BALLISAI

WBO number four junior welterweight Liam ‘The Prodigy’ Paro 16-0 (11) overcame two broken hands to outpoint Massimiliano Ballisai 22-6 (12) over 10-rounds at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre in Mackay, Queensland last Saturday night.

It was the first time Paro had been extended past the seventh frame.

“Saturday I had to dig to a place I haven’t been before,” Paro said after the fight. “Breaking both hands in rounds four and five wasn’t part of the plan but like a true champion we adapted and continued to control.

“I would lose limbs before losing [a fight] even crosses my mind.”

On the same card Australian welterweight champion Tysinn Best 10-0 (3) defended his national crown with a fourth round TKO of Dillon Bargero 5-7 (3) in their scheduled 10-round bout.

In other action Gaige Ireland 6-2-2 (3) claimed a six-round unanimous decision over veteran Mick Shaw 27-19-4 (8).

REAGAN DESSAIX CLASHES WITH BLAKE CAPARELLO THIS FRIDAY

WBA number 11 light heavyweight contender Reagan Dessaix 16-1 (11) steps up in class this Friday when he takes on WBC number seven and WBO number 10 Blake Caparello 28-3-1 (12) at The Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington, Victoria this coming Friday.

In what shapes as a genuine crossroads bout, Dessaix will be facing his first world-class opponent.

“Caparello has only had three losses in his career against world-class fighters in Sergey Kovalev, Isaac Chilemba and Andre Dirrell. That is nothing to be ashamed of,” the 22-year-old from Brisbane said.

“I believe I am a top-level fighter and I’ve been the underdog many times before including my last fight. This is nothing new to me. It’s about me going in there and proving that I am a top-level Light Heavyweight which I believe I am.

“If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. There is no point in cutting corners in this game and I don’t intend on doing that. Blake has been a world champion but it’s time for me to show that there is a new kid on the block on the world light heavyweight scene.”

Dessaix is managed by Tony Tolj, who has expertly guided the careers of the Moloney twins, Jason and Andrew.

“I got a lot from being around Jason Moloney during the World Boxing Super Series. It was a great learning experience and it gave me a lot of belief in myself that I can reach those heights,” Dessaix said.

“Since I linked up with Tony I’ve been guided perfectly and I’ve gone from strength to strength. He’s got me the right fights at the right time and I believe he has made a fight that is Australia’s number one and two light heavyweights clashing on Friday night and I know the result will see me become Australia’s number one light heavyweight.”

LUKE JACSKON UPS STUMPS TO PROGRESS HIS CAREER

Proud Tasmanian Luke ‘Action’ Jackson 17-1 (7) has made the decision to relocate to Sydney to further his boxing career.

The 34-year-old featherweight contender has split his time between his home in Hobart and his training camps in Sydney, where he is trained by Billy Hussein at the Bodypunch Boxing Gym in Lakemba.

“Tasmania is my home and I’m a passionate Tasmanian, but I’ve made the decision to make the move to Sydney,” Jackson announced last weekend. “I’ve been thinking about this move for a while and I know if I don’t do it now, it will never happen.

“For the past six years I’ve tried to balance my own business and my professional boxing career. I’ve tried to have it all, but deep down I know that both of these aspects of my life have suffered due to the other.”

Jackson was stopped in nine rounds by interim WBO 126-pound champion Carl Frampton last year after putting up a brave stand.

“Boxing is my life and I only have a short time left to have a crack at ticking some more goals off the list,” he continued.

“Because of that I have made the decision to step away from Action Fitness Centre for the next little bit and give boxing everything I can by training and living in Sydney.

“I’ve always seized opportunities and run with them and I don’t want the end of my boxing career to be plagued by regrets... This is a big decision for me but with no risk, there’s no reward.”

The London Olympian, who rebounded from the Frampton loss with a comprehensive eight-round points victory over Rivo Rengkung on MJA Platinum’s inaugural ‘Inception’ card last December, is looking to get back into the world championship mix in 2019.

“I’m looking forward to a fresh start, a new chapter and the chance to do things a bit differently as I still have so much to give, stay tuned!” Jackson said.