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‘He’s Ready for Anybody’ says Promoter Greg Cohen
It’s been three days since “ the shot heard round the world,” the one-punch knockout Louisiana lightweight Mason “Rock Hard Kaha” Menard scored over opponent Eudy Bernardo. VIDEO: http://s.sho.com/1NtEYjW
In what should have been a fight against his toughest opponent to date, Menard(31-1, 23 Koó) destroyed the Dominican Bernardo, dropping him in the second and finishing their nationally televised ShoBox: Ko te Generation New co-main event with a single right hand at 2:11 o te tuatoru.
In what will certainly be a “Knockout o te Tau” kaitono, Menard’s devastating right hand left the formerly undefeated Bernardo unconscious and announced the 27-year-old as an unexpected fighter to watch in the lightweight division.
“I train hard, diet right. I get good sparring. I do everything to the tee. I go to church on Sundays and the blessing come true for me,” said a happy Menard, pou-whawhai. “It felt great to be on the world stage and perform like that. With all my people back home watching and developing new fans out of the people watching everywhere, it’s just a great feeling. I want to continue this.”
At the time of the KO, Bernardo appeared to be seriously hurt and was taken from the ring on a stretcher. He has since recovered. “I knew in my mind it’d last about three rounds, but I didn’t expect that shot to take him out,” continued Menard. “It’s a great feeling to get a victory, but I’d rather my opponent walk out of the ring. I saw he was seriously hurt and I got down on one knee and said a prayer for him.”
For Menard’s promoter, Greg Cohen o Greg Cohen Whakatairanga, the victory was not unexpected, despite Bernardo being favored going in, but is still a very pleasant development.
“With one punch, Mason is now a serious contender in the lightweight division,” Na ka mea a Cohen. “He’s ready for any of the champions including Jorge Linares, Rances Barthelemy or Terry Flanagan.”
With a humble nature and movie-star good looks, Cohen saw the potential in Menard immediately. “Now everyone knows what we already did. He’s a sensational fighter with true star potential. I’m very excited to be working with him.”
“I’m ready for anybody,” said Menard. “As long as business is right, I’m not scared of anybody, kawea ratou ki runga ki!”
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