His well-documented rise from bullied kid, to school teacher to world champion means his place in Australian boxing folklore is secure.

For Horn's remarkable upset against the legendary Manny Pacquiao sparked something of a boxing revival in this country, one that ultimately saw him fighting under the bright lights in Las Vegas.

Yet it seems as though his legacy largely hinges on what happens in his rematch against Michael Zerafa at the Brisbane Exhibition and Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

Should this 10 round middleweight bout end in similar fashion to their last meeting, many will wonder if this is the end of the road for "The Hornet". Questions about the hunger to reach the top will resurface.

But if Horn returns the favour and beats Zerafa, the options are seemingly endless. It opens the door for a trilogy fight and fuels hype about a potential domestic match-up with Tim Tszyu. A world championship shot is within reach.

That last point is perhaps the most important - it is within reach, but it is not in the palm of Horn's hands. Not yet.

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That is the mistake the 31-year-old made last time he stepped into the ring with Zerafa. Their August bout was simply a stepping stone towards a title shot.

"It's all about legacy in boxing. I was meant to win that fight the first time, that was the whole idea of it," Horn said.

"Everyone thought I was the better fighter, that I was going to go in and clean up Michael Zerafa and go on to a world title. He proved himself as the hungrier fighter on the night and sometimes that's all that matters.

"Yes he has got skills, I'm not doubting Michael Zerafa at all, he is quite a capable boxer, and of course I'm not going to say anything because he did stop me last time, so I wouldn't be saying much about myself.

"He is a great fighter, he deserves the respect, and I will give him the respect. But I'm going out there to win.

"I don't even want to talk about what's next, because it doesn't matter. I need to win this fight, and that was the mistake I made last time.

"I was looking forward into the future at what was next. I don't care what's next, Michael Zerafa is the only one that matters at the moment."

Horn painted a picture of quiet confidence at the weigh-in, with the drop to the 72.57 kilogram limit dissected by a game of poker, a movie with his wife Jo and playing with his daughters.

Just as much as he is fighting for a world title shot, Horn is fighting to make sure his family is secure - another part of his legacy.

"It does make you nervous going into the second fight for sure, I don't want the repeat to happen. I want revenge rather than that," Horn said.

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"It's all about just mentally preparing myself, I'm seeing my hand getting raised, it doesn't matter how I win, as long as I get that W."

Zerafa's camp has already put the heat on Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton after the way the first bout ended. It was Horn's brother Ben who threw in the towel as he watched the former welterweight champion being battered.

But Rushton is adamant when it is all said and done in 20 years, he and Horn will still be best of mates.

Referee John Cauchi has made it clear neither fighter will take unnecessary punishment, for he is not concerned about whether they think they could fight on for another round - he is worried about what happens in 20 years.

As all eyes hover over Horn's corner, the man inside the squared circle has no doubt Rushton has his best interests at heart.

"People often mistake us as father and son out there," Horn said.

"We've got a close relationship and I have got no bad feelings towards Glenn about what happened last time. I know he is a competitor himself, and he knows how much of a competitor I am.

"He knows I would like every single chance I can get to win that fight."

Win, and The Hornet's legacy grows.