JEFF Horn says he plans to pounce on Terence Crawford at the opening bell of their world title fight in Las Vegas and try to bury him in an avalanche of punches.

That stunning revelation is one of the key foundation stones for Glenn Rushton’s top secret 12-point plan to hand Crawford his first defeat after 32 victories stretching back 10 years.

Horn, unbeaten in 19 fights, defends his WBO welterweight title against the slick American at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday week (Australian time) and says a dramatic early knockout will propel him into the boxing stratosphere.

Rushton has studied Crawford meticulously and believes Horn must go after him in the opening round like he did against Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium.

In one of Crawford’s most dramatic victories, he gave away the opening four rounds against

Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2014 before storming home to win by knockout.

Crawford looked surprised by Gamboa’s speed before finding the range and timing for his deadly accurate counters.

Describing Crawford and his foul-mouthed trainer Brian McIntyre as ``overgrown school bullies’’ Horn says he plans to get an early lead and keep it just as he did in dominating the first half of the Pacquiao fight.

``Back in 2013 I won the Australian welterweight title by stopping Sam Colomban in the opening round,’’ Horn said. ``The fight lasted just 78 seconds. Glenn and I had trained hard to time my right hand just as Sam dipped his head down and I caught him clean.

``I’ll be looking for that big shot against Crawford right from the opening bell. If I hit him cleanly it will only take one shot for me to retain the world title.’’

Horn said he expected a physical confrontation with the Crawford camp outside the ring in the days leading up to the fight.

``They will probably try and push me around mentally and even do the push and shove at the weigh-in as they try and throw me off my game,’’ he said.

``They are calling me all sorts of names and making all these threats about knocking me out and attacking Glenn. Good luck. It just shows how worried they are.

``Crawford and McIntyre are just like big overgrown school bullies. They are unsure of themselves, unsure how Crawford will react when he gets hit by the biggest, strongest opponent he’s faced. That’s what bullies are like. Deep down bullies are scared people.

``Crawford has all this pressure and hype on him because he is a heavy betting favourite fighting on home soil.

``I think Crawford will feel intimidated when he comes face to face with me and sees how big I am and that I’m ready to ruin his reputation.’’

Horn went through a fast-paced punching pad session in Las Vegas yesterday alternating between Rushton and strength and conditioning guru Dundee Kim as his targets.

Horn is noticeably more muscular than he was when he beat Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium last year, yet he appears lighter on his feet and is punching with much more crispness.

Next week Kim will have Horn hitting foam swimming pool ``noodles’’ to sharpen his reflexes and he has a circular device made from a coat-hanger that Horn must punch through to sharpen his accuracy.

Rushton said Horn would be hunting his prey from the opening bell.

``I would dearly love Jeff to score that early knockout,’’ Rushton said.

``Wouldn’t it be a great thing for Australian sport to see Jeff Horn stop Crawford in the first three rounds? The Americans would be eating humble pie for a long, long time.’’