(Shawinigan) Michael Wallisch does not bend to anyone. Not even Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The heavyweight from Munich accepted what nearly 20 boxers refused, swears the president of Eye of the Tiger Management, Camille Estephan: take the risk of facing the Montrealer of Russian origin in 14 KOs. in 15 professional fights.
“It’s true: there is a risk in facing rising stars like him on three weeks notice, admitted Wallisch (23-5, 16 KOs) after Tuesday’s press conference. But I’ll use my experience: I’m an old fox and I have a good jaw.
“I know he’s strong, but it’s all going to come down to the ring. I’m going to show him what experience and old tricks can do, good moves. I have a good base, a good technique. That’s what I’m going to use. »
Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) is ranked fourth in the World Boxing Council (WBC) – of which he is the Silver champion, a title which will not be at stake on Friday, Wallisch not having been accepted by the sanctioning body as a valid adversary. The 33-year-old behemoth also points to the fifth level of the World Boxing Association (WBA). Wallisch is not part of any top 16 global.
Estephan did everything to attract a higher ranked boxer.
“Believe me, money is not a factor. We are ready to put the necessary sum. But the risks are not worth it for many of them, ”assured the promoter. Wallisch disagrees.
“I always say that I want to fight boxers like him, because I grew up with Rocky: Rocky was going to the mat, but Rocky was getting up. That’s how I see it. If I lose, I go back to the gym and come back stronger,” he said.
“There are a lot of boxers who, after a defeat, return home and cry in a ball. Nope ! There is always a next time, and a next and a next. I will try until I get that big win. That’s how I see things. And I want to show young German boxers that you shouldn’t be afraid to go abroad to face good boxers. With us, currently, they are afraid of having a defeat on their record. I don’t think about that! I learn more from defeats than from victories. This is the best test there is,” he continued.
Makhmudov also intends to offer him a whole.
“My job is to destroy my opponents. Providing me with opponents is my promoter’s job, he blurted out. I make sure to do what I have to do at the gym, to be in great shape. The rest will come by itself. When I arrived, I was not in the rankings. Now I have the WBC Silver belt. It means I did my job.
“It’s a difficult fight, which will allow me to improve and gain experience, he nevertheless qualified. He’s a guy who has a lot of experience himself: he’s faced big names [Joe Joyce, Murat Gassiev, Tony Yoka, notamment]. This will allow us to make the necessary adjustments. »
Hermans and the experience
In the semi-final, Mary Spencer (7-0, 5 K.-O.) will try to win a first world title in the super-welterweight by facing the Belgian Femke Hermans (13-4, 5 K.-O. ). The one who was briefly champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-middleweight will be in a sixth championship fight.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Mary Spencer
Spencer believes that her long and successful career as an amateur (nearly 200 fights) will more than compensate for that acquired as a professional by the 33-year-old Belgian. But Hermans believes he has the advantage on this point.
“I’ve done several 10-round fights against big girls,” she noted. It is true that she has a very good amateur career, but these are three rounds and she has never found herself in difficulty. I think this aspect can be an advantage for me. I know she’s well trained, but we’ll see. »
As for her neglected status, she hardly dwells on it.
“Every fight has to be done. You may be the favourite, but every shot counts,” summarized Hermans.
Conley wants to cause surprise
Boxing fans will have the opportunity to see another title on the line during this evening of seven fights: that of the middleweight of the NABF between the champion, Steven Butler (31-3-1, 26 K.-O. ), and contender, Joshua Conley (17-4-1, 11 KOs).
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Steven Butler
Accustomed to being the underdog, Conley intends to come and surprise Butler on his land.
“I’m in a good state of mind: it’s not the first time that I’ve been taken to the court of the favorite and it won’t be the first time that I’ve caused a surprise. I don’t mind being the underdog at all. […] I bring speed and power like I don’t think he’s seen before. »
Local hopeful Thomas Chabot, Leïla Beaudoin, Luis Santana and Alexandre Gaumont – who will have a new opponent, the Polish Piotr Bis unable to fulfill his commitments – will also be part of this evening which will start at 7 p.m. The gala will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the United States and will be available in Canada on PunchingGrace.com.