(Montreal) Simon Kean has been waiting for a big opportunity for a long time, against a big opponent, on a big stage. He was granted. The heavyweight from Trois-Rivières will face former world champion Joseph Parker on October 28, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“This is the fight that can change my life. »
The clash between Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) and the New Zealander Parker (32-3, 22 KOs) will be presented on the undercard of the World Boxing Council (WBC) championship fight ) between Tyson Fury and mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou.
“There are no limits after that,” adds Kean. Like all business, you are there to make money. I consider my career in boxing as a business. This is the fight that could allow me to live well after this.
“It takes a victory for example. With a victory, we could talk about something serious. »
At 31, Parker is far from being a boxer who sails into the sunset. He has just signed two victories in a row after suffering a first defeat by KO. in career, at 11e round ahead of Joe Joyce, for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim title.
Parker held this title in 2016 and 2017. He won it when it was vacant by defeating Andy Ruiz by unanimous decision. He defended it twice before losing it in a mammoth unification fight at the hands of Anthony Joshua.
“The cream of the crop,” said Kean’s trainer, Jessy Ross Thompson, of the boxers who handed Parker defeats. You look at those fights, it was only Joyce who clearly beat him. The other two were decisions.
“He is preparing for another chance at the world championship,” he continues. With this kind of showcase, we can be sure that he will offer us the best of himself. »
Kean has long wanted to compete against the best in the division. This confrontation will allow us to know his place on the heavyweight chessboard.
“It’s a good opportunity to show that he’s part of the elite, that he’s capable of competing against the cream of the division,” agrees Thompson. It’s clear that if you give Parker a good fight, you’re also part of the heavyweight elite. »
“I got there. You have to fight guys like that to know where you stand. I have great cohesion with Jessy. We were able to put in place a great strategy. We’ve been working together since the fight against (Eric) Molina, but we had only worked together eight weeks at that point.
“I evolved as a boxer, even without having fought. I have a new style. I think I can surprise Parker. »
Difficult negotiations
It was difficult for Camille Estephan and Eye of the Tiger Management to place Kean and Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0, 16 KOs), who will face Croatian Agron Smakici (19-2, 17 KOs) , on this map.
“It’s really a very long story,” Estephan said. But we are really lucky to have two boxers on this huge card of only six fights. […] I have been dealing with these people in Saudi Arabia for years. It must also be said that I have a very favorable relationship with Top Rank, who are co-promoters of the event because of Fury.
“We keep our word, we keep our promises. It weighed heavily with these promoters. »
Even once the presence of the two pugilists from Eye of the Tiger Management was acquired, it took some time before they could make the announcement.
“I was approached a few weeks ago,” says Kean. It’s true that it’s a big night, a big name. But I still wanted to see the contract before signing anything. At one point, the promoters on the other side told us it wasn’t working anymore because I had taken too long to decide.
“However, they came back a few weeks later, but again, they sent us the plane tickets before I signed the contract! For them, it was done, but I wanted to see the contract. I’m glad it’s finally settled,” adds Kean, who is still in the gym regardless of whether he has a signed contract or not.
According to him, Parker’s best asset is his intelligence in the ring, his “boxing IQ”.
“Parker, he’s not a super athletic guy like Anthony Joshua, but if he got to where he is today, it’s because he has great intelligence in the ring. He, the “game” of chess, he knows it. Sometimes guys aren’t the most impressive in the gym, but once you get in the ring, it’s a different story. »
Thompson, however, assures that his protégé is ready for this challenge.
“Simon is 34 years old, he went to the Olympic Games. He faced adversity against Dillon Carman: he was well prepared for this confrontation,” concludes the coach.