Boxing: Jeff Horn accused of headbutting – 'I'll bite him' says opponent

Bloodied Aussie battler Jeff Horn's win over Manny Pacquiao in Brisbane. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Jeff Horn, the Australian welterweight and recent conqueror of Manny Pacquiao, has been accused of headbutting by his next opponent Gary Corcoran.

WBO world champion Horn, a Duco Events stablemate of WBO heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker, fights Englishman Corcoran in Brisbane next Wednesday in the first defence of his title.

And Corcoran has gone on the offensive, alleging Horn uses his head too much and threatening to bite back – literally.

"I'm expecting headbutts - I'm used to it," Corcoran said in his final public workout in Brisbane. "I've been headbutted before and that's the way Jeff fights. He's known for leading with his head.''

Corcoran said Horn headbutted Pacquiao during their fight at Suncorp Stadium in July, but rather than complaining about it, he would take matters to a new level in a manner reminiscent of Mike Tyson's response against Evander Holyfield in their infamous fight in Las Vegas in 1997.

"I won't headbutt Jeff back — I'll bite him,'' Corcoran said.

"I have bullied bigger boys than Jeff in previous fights. I've trained for 12 hard rounds and he hasn't fought anyone as big or young as me.''

Horn denies that he is a dirty fighter.

"I'm an aggressive fighter,'' he said. "The way I fight in close it's just natural that sometimes your heads collide.

"I got accused of butting against Manny Pacquiao but I was the one who came off worse.

"I got a bad cut over my eye when our heads banged together but the head clash was accidental.

"My trainer Glenn Rushton has always taught me to fight hard but fair. But if Gary wants to turn it into a brawl with me well bring it on.''