Perennial 118-lb contender Stephon “Showstopper” Young is finishing up his 13-week training camp in Miami while wondering if his opponent knows what he’s truly in for next week.

På Fredag, Mars 23, in the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., WBA #4-rated Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) from St. Louis will face WBA #5 Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Filippinene, in a 12-round battle for the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship.

Young vs. Gaballo headlines promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock,” an 11-bout night of world-class professional boxing. In the 10-round co-main, former WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano (19-1, 9 KOs) tar på “Magic” Mike Plania (14-0, 7 KOs) from General Santos City, Filippinene.

29-year-old southpaw Young says that while Gaballo obviously has some strength to have such a high KO percentage, he is too green to be in the ring with a fighter at his level and experience.

“For å være ærlig, Jeg tar ingenting fra ham, but they should have stepped him up with a different opponent first and not thrown him in with a guy like me,” sa Young. “I feel he’s not ready yet and that will show neste fredag. He should have had two or three more fights, but I feel like just because it’s for a title, they are rushing toward it. It’s a good opportunity for him, but they’re not thinking enough about what’s going to happen to him. I will be bringing everything I’ve got that night.”

Young, who still lives in St. Louis but travels to Miami for camp, says coming up the hard way in boxing and then meeting up with his current team will make all the difference neste fredag.

“When I turned pro, I didn’t get signed right off the bat with a big-time promoter,” han sa. “I went and fought in people’s backyards and proved myself. I was given nothing, but I knew my time would come. I stayed focused and continued to train. I’ve been with my coach, Herman Caicedo, now for two years and I’m a totally different fighter. I want to thank my team, my promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory for giving me this opportunity, my manager Henry Rivalta for always believing in me and my coach Herman Caicedo for getting me in the best shape I’ve ever been.”

For Young, lifting the belt over his head neste fredag will be a dream come true.

“Å vinne denne kampen betyr alt. It’s a big accomplishment and nothing can keep me from my dreams. På Mars 23, I will be champion.”

“Rumble at the Rock” is proudly sponsored by Armero Tequila. Special guests expected that evening include former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. På kampen natt, Hard Rock Event Center will open its doors at 6 pm. med den første bout som starter på 7 pm. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way i Hollywood, Florida.