Mark ‘The People’s Choice’ Austin 9(1)-7(2)-1 may be a last-minute replacement and an underdog opponent for Dexter ‘The Cobra’ Gonsalves but he is training and thinking like champion.
Despite taking the fight on short notice, Austin and his coach, the legendary, George ‘Canchie’ Oprecht are both confident that he can score a big upset over the highly rated prospect.
Oprecht stressed that “Mark has good box skills, exceptional boxing skills and ability.
“It is a fight that we can handle, it will be a fight and anything can happen in a fight, he has been training and we are going out there to put up a good show.”
Austin and Gonsalves are fighting at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on the ‘Battle of Contenders Card’ this Saturday night.
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The Cobra’ (6(3)-1-2) was originally scheduled to lace up the gloves against Trinidad and Tobago based Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore (16(3)-5(4)-3) but the latter’s hand injury during sparring derailed the bout, paving the way for the Austin/ Gonsalves showdown.
Said Austin “When I fight, I fight intelligently. I won’t try to knock him out. He’s a strong guy but I don’t care if I win by knockout or decision. I just want to win,” said Austin.
Saturday’s bout promises some fireworks.
The card will be headlined by recently crowned Wray and Nephew Contender Series winner, Jamaican, Sakima Mullings and a combatant in the Series, Derrick ‘Lights Out’ Richmond of Guyana.
The Mullings/ Richmond light middleweight bout is planned for eight rounds and will keep fight fans on the edge of their seats throughout the affair if it manages to go to the distance.
Mullings (16(11)-1-0) from Stony Hill, Jamaica is the more polished and skillful fighter but the New Amsterdam resident, Richmond (3(3)-1-1) is a known knockout artist with bone breaking power.
‘Lights Out’ has won all three of his fights via the KO route, the last one against CABOFE middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou, after breaking his jaw and shelving his career.
Put a boxer and a brawler in the ring and the contrast of styles is guaranteed to give you your monies worth.
The organizers have also pit former world rated boxer, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore against Mark Murray, Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques vs Richard Williamson and Winston Pompey vs Kemahl Russell.
Admission is $2,000 for ringside and $1000 for general seating. Bell time is 20:00 hrs.
