MARK Jeffers was devastated to discover that his clash with Osleys Iglesias, earmarked as an IBF final eliminator, had fallen through.
The pair were exploring the possibility of colliding at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, New York, on July 12, featuring on the undercard of Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda.
But while negotiations chugged along at a steady pace – before reaching what Jeffers, 20-0 (7 KOs), deemed to be a satisfactory conclusion – their super-middleweight showdown was ultimately scuppered.
Unsurprisingly, its collapse arrived as disappointing news for Jeffers who, as it emerged, was returning from his wedding week in Spain.
“We did a full week in Majorca, and had a boat party after the wedding,” he told Boxing News. “So yeah, it was a special week.
“But I was still training. There’s a boxing gym over there, so I was using that while also doing a few runs. On the day of the wedding, I did an eight-mile run.”
Despite maintaining his trojan-like work ethic, the 27-year-old was eventually forced to accept the fact that Iglesias, 13-0 (12 KOs), a formidable world-level contender, would no longer be his next opponent.
Instead, the Lancashire man will face Sean Hemphill on June 7, appearing on the undercard of Callum Simpson’s European title shot at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley.
But before an alternative option was presented to him, Jeffers firmly believed that the wheels were in motion for his fight with Iglesias.
“They sent an offer through, we accepted it, and then it just went quiet,” he said. “In my head, it was happening on July 12 in New York. But to be honest, I don’t know the full story behind it.
“[The fight not happening] wasn’t to do with anything on our side. I got a message that came through on my way back from [Majorca], saying the fight’s not going ahead.
“I was gutted. That would’ve been my dream – to fight on a massive card in New York – but there’s no point in sulking about it. Now I’m just fully focused on June 7.”
Beyond his next assignment, Jeffers – a number-six ranked contender with the IBF – looks to test himself on the world scene.
Whether that is against Iglesias, or perhaps an equally ferocious 168lb combatant, ‘The Dog’ is determined to prove himself at the highest level.
“I feel like I need a big test, just to see how good I really am,” he insisted. “They’re all going on about Iglesias – no one will go anywhere near him – but give me any of the top names and we’ll see how good they are.
“I believe it’s going to take a very special fighter to beat me.”
