Stevenson vs. Gonzalez In Montreal IBF Eliminator

ByBoxing Press

Super middleweight sensation Adonis “Superman” Stevenson, now being trained by Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward in Detroit, is prepared to successfully defend his IBF Inter-Continental belt February 18 against former NABF champion Jesus “El Martillo” Gonzales (27-1, 14 KOs) in the 12-round main event that is also an IBF voluntary eliminator for the No. 2 position.

But Stevenson, rated No. 8 by the WBA, as well as No. 10 by the WBO and No. 15 by the WBC and IBF, also has sights set on a mega-Montreal showdown against IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.

Stevenson vs. Gonzalez headlines a Quebec star-studded “Fast & Furious Boxing Series” event, presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron, at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Stevenson (16-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Longueuil, Quebec, also is the reigning NABA, NABO and IBF Inter-Continental super middleweight king.

“I’m going to prove in this fight that I deserve a world title shot,” Stevenson said. “I’m going to make a statement because I want Bute! I called him out after my last fight. He said he wants to fight (Andre) Ward or (Carl) Froch, which I can understand but, if they are not available, I want to prove I am the best alternative. I’m not going anywhere and soon he will have to fight me. I will be the No. 2-rated contender after this fight and soon after I will be his mandatory.”

Gonzales is slick southpaw out of Phoenix (AZ), who is rated No. 12 by the IBF and No. 14 by the WBC, riding a 10-fight win streak.

“My opponent is a good puncher who has good speed,” Stevenson remarked. “I’m going to box him and then catch him. When I do catch him, he’s going down. He can’t stay up with me.

“I’m training in Detroit with Emanuel Steward. There are many good sparring partners there. I’m getting focused and will be ready for this fight. Emanuel is teaching me good techniques. I’m going to be faster and stronger, use my jab and left hand more, with better footwork, defense and more confidence than ever. I will be a more complete fighter. Emanuel Steward is the step-up I need to win a world title.”

Providing chief support for Stevenson-Gonzales in the eight-round co-feature is undefeated NABO light heavyweight title-holder, Colombian native and Montreal favorite Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (7-0, 5 KOs), who takes on former USBA champion Otis “Triple OG” Griffin (23-9-2, 9 KOs), winner of Oscar de la Hoya’s The Next Great Champ television reality show.

A loaded undercard features four entertaining eight-round bouts: Montreal light welterweight Dierry “Douggy” Jean (20-0, 13 KOs) vs. former English champion Ryan Barrett (25-9-3, 5 KOs), former NABA super featherweight titlist Arash Usmanee (16-0, 8 KOs) vs. Danish invader Innocent Anyanwu (21-3-2, 12 KOs), unbeaten 2008 Colombian Olympian Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (8-0, 5 KOs) vs. Croatian kick-boxer Ivica Perkovic (15-12, 11 KOs), and 2009 Canadian National Team member, popular featherweight Tyler Asseltine (8-0, 5 KOs), vs. Andras Varga (5-1-2, 0 KOs).

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is Quebec heavyweight Didier Bence (4-0, 2 KOs) vs. Stephane “Brutus” Tessier and light welterweight Ghislain Maduma (5-0, 2 KPs) vs. Jeremy Abbott (3-2, 2 KOs) in a pair of six-round bouts; as well as super featherweight Baha Laham (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. Csaba “Little Tyson” Toth in a four-round match. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, starting at $60.00, are available to purchase at the Bell Center, at www.evenko.ca, or GYM’s office (514-383-0666).