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World champ Jeff Horn is a dirty fighter, claims Gary Corcoran’s manager

Jeff Horn has faced accusations he headbutted Manny Pacquiao in their world title fight last year.

Jeff Horn has faced accusations he headbutted Manny Pacquiao in their world title fight last year. Photo: AAP

Jeff Horn is angered by accusations he fights “dirty” but will stay true to the style that won him the WBO welterweight title in his first defence of the belt on Wednesday night.

That’s despite the best efforts of Gary Corcoran and his co-trainer Frank Greaves to sway the referee and judges in anticipation of another hometown decision in Brisbane.

Greaves accused Horn of unsavoury tactics and even showed reporters a compilation of vision from his previous fights in which he allegedly leads with his head – including his controversial win over Manny Pacquiao in July.

“I respect Jeff as a fighter… (but) there is absolutely no question that he is dirty,” Greaves said.

It was the flashpoint of a heated press conference on Monday that later descended into bickering between the two camps, with members of Horn’s entourage calling out from the crowd to rubbish the claims.

Greaves also taunted Horn by pulling out a baseball cap with a boxing glove taped to it and told him he should wear it in the ring.

“It’s frustrating,” Horn said.

“I’ve copped a heap of flak on that at the moment. Online, keyboard warriors saying I’m a dirty fighter.

“It’s a fight out there, it’s not a chess competition. We’re in there, it’s physical.

“Sometimes bad things happen and obviously even a punch is going to cut someone.

“I’m going to stay the same because that’s what’s won me these fights.”

Jeff Horn v Gary Corcoran: Press Conference

Gary Corcoran will be bringing some decent punching power to his title fight with Australia’s Jeff Horn. Photo: Getty

Greaves intends to meet with officials ahead of the fight to ensure they know about Horn’s alleged habits.

“I understand judges can be influenced by crowds and everything else and I appreciate that if we win it by a round, we probably won’t get it on the scorecards,” he said.

“If you’re playing at Old Trafford it’s hard to get a penalty. It’s the same.

“But what I want is a level playing field in regards to the physical infractions, the fouling.

“As long as we get that, I believe we win the fight.”

Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton strenuously denied the claims and said he would never direct him to intentionally headbutt an opponent.

“I see it as a sign of weakness,” he said.

“To me they’re just backpeddling. They’ve already got an excuse why they may not win.

“We’re not, we’re ready – let’s dance. We don’t need any advantage to beat you. We’ll see who’s the best man. I already know who that is.”

-AAP

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