Jeff Horn challenged to defend title by Chris van Heerden
Monday 3 July 2017 15:39, UK
New world champion Jeff Horn has been challenged to defend his title against Chris van Heerden.
Australia's Horn completed a stunning upset to take Manny Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title last weekend in Brisbane, immediately making himself a target for contenders such as Van Heerden.
"My manager deals with Horn's management, and there's a possibility I could fight him if Pacquiao doesn't do the rematch," Van Heerden told Sky Sports.
"We're rated with the WBA, WBO and IBF and we want a shot at a world title. We're No 14 with the WBO so come on Jeff, give me a shot.
"I would absolutely go Down Under to fight him."
South African Van Heerden (25-2-1), who has strung together back-to-back wins since losing to Errol Spence Jr, believes Horn deserved his controversial decision win against Pacquiao.
"I thought Horn would get knocked out but he came out blazing, he gave it his all," Van Heerden said. "He almost got stopped in round nine but then he won rounds 10 and 11, I thought.
"Does Horn deserve it? Yes he does. He doesn't control the scoring, and he did what he had to do."
