ONLY just turning 22 years old Harvey Horn crammed a lot into his career. He is now looking turning professional and will leave the amateurs behind.
โI feel like the longer rounds are going to suit me a bit more, where Iโm boxing and taking my time, Iโll be able to suss my opponent out,โ he told Boxing News. โIโm starting to get a bit stronger as well. Iโve gone up a weight. So hopefully Iโll knock someone out.โ
He impressed in the pro-style World Series of Boxing format, losing to Mexicoโs top notch Joselito Velasquez but beating the USAโs Nico Hernandez in America. Hernandez would go on to win a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.
โThe first ones are going to be four rounders and the way Iโm looking at it, Iโve already had four pro fights. Five rounders,โ he said. โThe first [WSB at York Hall], against Mexico, I think I brought 300 people. That didnโt go too well, did it?โ
He continued, โThere was definitely a bit of pressure. I think it was more the fact that I was only 19 against a seasoned Mexican. Heโd been all over the world, I think he was 23, at that age. It was boy against man and it showed. The first round went alright and from there he dragged me into a dogfight.โ
Velasquez, highly ranked in world boxing, is one of the best Horn has boxed. He adds, โThe Indian [Devendro Laishram], the Commonwealth silver medallist was definitely up there. Heโs very strong. He hit me and I didnโt know whatโs going on for about 30 seconds. But he was dropping everyone in the Commonwealths. He put Ashley Williams down, Aqeel Ahmed down, he was very strong. But he just had one shot, it was a left hook over the top.
โHe was up there, [Vasili] Egorov was up there. I boxed him twice. I drew him in the Worlds, in the second round. The first one, the European final, I did myself a lot more justice. Iโd fought three days on the trot, Iโd had a massive cut, it was my first proper cut, so I didnโt know how to take it that well,โ he said. โI went out on my shield, I had a go. I won the third round and lost the first two.โ
A European silver medal and winning the ABA championships at just 18 are highlights of a fine amateur career. But the lowest moment for Horn was missing out on selection for Olympic qualifiying last year. โBecause I knew the quality of me and Galal [Yafai] I knew whoever went to that first qualifier would qualify. As soon as I knew I wasnโt going, I knew the Olympics was gone,โ he said.
He didnโt get to go to Rio but he could take some comfort noting the Olympians heโd beaten in the past. โI was buzzing that [Hernandez] won that [bronze] because it did show my quality. But then again I was thinking if heโs done it, why havenโt I done it. I beat a few of them. I beat six Olympians. Hernandez got the furthest,โ Harvey reflected.
He is preparing himself for a new start. โI have been settling my feet a lot more, Iโm punching through with my shots more, so theyโve got a bit more venom,โ he warns. โItโs been coming along really well.โ