© Gianluca 'Rio' Di Caro

NABA Light Heavyweight Champion, Yusaf Mack, 25-2-2 (15), returned to his former home gym, The James Shuler Memorial Gym, this week to undertake his final preparations with his former manager/trainer Percy ‘Buster’ Custus for this Friday’s title defense against fellow Philadelphian, Omar ‘Pit Bull’ Pittman 15-4-1 (8), at the National Guard Armory in Philadelphia.

Mack, the former USBA/UBA Super Middleweight Champion, stepped up to Light Heavyweight earlier this year and in just his second fight at his new weight beat Brooklyn, New York’s Daniel Judah, 22-3-3 (10), in a tough battle, which took place in Judah’s own back yard, to secure the NABA title.

At his previous weight, Mack, always struggled to make the 168 lb required for super middleweight, often he would be left weak and exhausted working off up to 12 lb to make the weight. Not so these days, the higher weight clearly suits his 6’1” muscular frame, he appears fitter, stronger and, more importantly, totally focused on the task ahead.

Mack is clearly fired up, throughout his workout session he was constantly pacing the gym floor like a caged tiger when not pummeling the stuffing out of the heavybag or seemingly trying to smash Buster’s hands off during very aggressive pads work.

Taking a break from training, Mack, said “I’m here to fight. I’ll do what I have to do. I’ve trained harder than ever before. [trainer] John Tandy, made sure of that, he works you hard, he makes sure you’re prepared for anything they [opponents] can throw at you. I’m ready and really up for this fight.”

As for the future, should he win on Friday, Mack, who is currently ranked 9th by the World Boxing Association, expects his next fight will be an elimination bout in Germany for the WBA Light Heavyweight World Title.

© Gianluca 'Rio' Di Caro

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