CANADIAN puncher Eric Martel Bahoeli believes his speed will be telling against Lucas Browne in Sheffield this Saturday night (April 26).
The Quebec-native takes on the hard-hitting Aussie for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title at the Ponds Forge Arena and is very confident of victory.
Bookies have made Browne a heavy favourite, but Bahoeli is used to upsetting the odds. Last November he was given little chance of success against compatriot Didier Bence and ended up snapping the highly touted prospect’s unbeaten record with a second round TKO.
“I think I will cause another upset,” Bahoeli, 10-3 (7 KOs), said. “I know he [Browne]
is a hard puncher because he has a good record, but I think I’m too fast for him.
“He’s a very tough guy and so am I so I expect a hard fight, but I think my chances are much better than people are saying.
“I’ve had 11 weeks of training for this fight, which is more than I’ve had for any other fight, and I think Browne will be surprised by how fast and strong I am.”
With 24 knockouts between them, many are expecting the fight to be a rough and tumble affair that ends with a devastating knockout in the early rounds.
But Bahoeli, who by day works with disadvantaged children in a juvenile centre, says he has prepared for a long night.
“This is heavyweight boxing and one punch can end a fight, but I’m more than ready for 12 rounds,” he said.
“I’ve worked very hard in the gym, I’m in shape and if I have to go all 12 rounds with Browne, then that’s what I will do.”
The chief supporting contest for Saturday’s bill sees France’s European bantamweight champion Karim Guerfi face his mandatory challenger Zhanat Zhakiyanov, Sheffield’s own Adam Etches faces Felipe De La Paz Teniente for the vacant WBC youth middleweight crown.
Also starring will be Ricky Hatton-trained prospects Adam Little and Kirill Relikh along with Scott Jenkins, Leo D’Erlanger, Kash Ali and Dave Howe.
Ticket prices are priced at £35 (General Admission), £55 (Reserved Floor Seats), £75 (Ringside) and £100 (VIP Ringside). They can be purchased from 07747 474701.
The show is being televised in the UK by BoxNation (Sky Ch.437 HD 490 and Virgin 546), in France via L’Equipe 21 TV and in Australia (Foxtel Ch.511), Pacific regions and Asia on Eurosport.
