Jeff Horn's camp makes startling admission about Mundine

Jeff Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton admits a fit-looking Anthony Mundine could be a tougher opponent than he originally anticipated.

Mundine and Horn face off in Brisbane on Friday night in what is a crucial bout for 30-year-old Horn’s career after losing his WBO welterweight title in June to American Terence Crawford.

Horn has previously admitted he needs to beat Mundine well to get himself back on the world stage after his loss to Crawford.

Rushton had a pre-fight warning for Horn on Tuesday however, saying if Mundine is actually as fit as he looks, then his charge is in for a tough night.

“He does look fit. He does look sharp. He does look like he’s really come to fight,” Rushton said.

“If he really puts in, we’ve got to plan to beat a 30-year-old Mundine not a 43-year-old one.

“If he really puts the work in I don’t think the age will be as big a factor as we originally thought it would be.”

Mundine boasted on Monday he’d already achieved the 71kg catchweight mark last week, a claim Horn disputes.

Horn himself says he’s comfortable with the weight after his preparations for the Crawford fight were marred when it took the Australian three attempts to make weight.

The Queenslander completed a light session at Rushton’s suburban Brisbane gym on Tuesday in what will likely be his final hitout before the fight.

Mundine raised concerns on Monday about Horn’s alleged tendency to lead with the head, a claim that has been made against Horn following his world title win over Manny Pacquiao.

“I know that they’re going to say it because after the Manny Pacquiao fight that’s all the Manny Pacquiao fans wanted to say, that I headbutted, but southpaw versus orthodox, that’s just what’s going to happen, your heads are going to come together,” he said.

“I do get sick of hearing it because it’s just the one thing over and over again.”

Mundine fight a test for Horn’s future

After struggling to make weight before his defeat to Terence Crawford in June, Horn has revelled in the preparation at a heavier mark, often boasting of enjoying chocolate and steak dinners rather than desperately trying to shed kilos.

Trainer Glenn Rushton says how his charge competes against Mundine will determine whether Horn attempts to regain his WBO welterweight title in a rematch against Crawford or plans future fights in higher divisions.

“Does he look more like a super-welter or middle or does he still look more like he should be in welterweight?,” Rushton told AAP.

“He can make welterweight. He fought all of his amateur career as a light-welterweight, which was 64 kilos.

“He can definitely do welter and I really want Crawford as well and he’s in welter.”

If Rushton and Horn abandon plans for a Crawford rematch and keep him in a higher division, there’s one fight the Brisbane-based trainer would relish for his protege.

“I’d love a fight with Canelo Alvarez, that would be an amazing fight,” Rushton said.

The Mexican is the WBA super-middleweight champion and boasts an imposing 50 win, one loss and two draw record with 34 knockouts.

“The styles match up beautifully, the only thing is Alvarez has gone to super-middle. He fought Floyd Mayweather at welterweight, now he’s jumped to super-middle so who knows?

“Maybe we could get an agreement at light-middle for Alvarez to fight Horn, but we’ve got to come back first on Friday night and prove ourselves worthy of those challenges.”