Jeff Horn wins fight against Randall Bailey. Pic Jono Searle.

Horn overcame some early nerves in front of a hometown crowd to seal his 14th career win, a technical knock out after seven rounds, at a sold-out Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre.

Randall Bailey misses Jeff Horn with a wild left hook.Source:Getty Images

It was a risky match-up for world No.6 welterweight Horn against three-time world champion Bailey, considered one of the sport’s hardest punchers with a formidable 85 per cent knockout rate. But the 28-year-old schoolteacher outworked and outboxed his decorated opponent, who elected not to come back for the eighth round after being put through the wringer by the man dubbed Australian boxing’s next big thing.

Jeff Horn looks for a jab to Randell Bailey’s body.Source:News Corp Australia

It is the perfect first step on a path plotted by Horn’s promoters Duco Events, who plan to turn him into a household name with a series of high-profile fights at home and set up a world title shot in the next 18 months.

The closest Horn came to joining Bailey’s long list of KO victims was in the third round, when a thunderous right slipped through his defences and left the crowd stunned.

Jeff Horn celebrates his win against Randall Bailey.Source:News Corp Australia

Horn’s gloves touched the mat but he wobbled back to his feet for the eight-count and eventually shook off the hit.

That moment might have shaken the 41-year-old Bailey, who visibly tired as the bout wore on before copping his first stoppage defeat since 2009.

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