IT seems a long time ago that the world was clamouring to see Adonis Stevenson unify the light-heavyweight division against Sergey Kovalev. Stevenson has drifted away from that fight and, as the Russian waits to lock in a major clash with Andre Ward, Adonis will defend his WBC crown against Thomas Williams Jr in Quebec on Friday (July 29).
The two made weight Thursday. Stevenson was 173.6lbs, Williams 174.6lbs.
“Welcome to Québec City Thomas. I saw your fight against Edwin Rodriguez. It was a nice performance with a beautiful KO. When I saw that bout, I told myself I wanted that fight with you. I knew I was going to be motivated,” Stevenson said.
“I know Williams hits hard and that he has a name now in the United States, but I keep the same Kronk Gym mentality Emmanuel Steward taught me: we go for the KO. It is also the birthday of my daughter and I want to offer her a KO, I am motivated. This will be exciting… Don’t blink.”
Williams promised, “You don’t know what I have been through to be here. Tweets, talks and predictions won’t mean nothing Friday night: facts will. There will be a new champion.”
Eleider Alvarez, 179.4lbs, also boxes on the bill, against Robert Berridge, 178.4lbs, instead of Chad Dawson. “With only a 10 day notice, I am really happy to face a fighter of such a high caliber. Berridge is a tough guy who faced good names like Thomas Oosthuizen and Blake Caparello, but I prepared really hard for Chad Dawson. I am ready,” Alvarez said.
