Boxing News Boxing News
Both Anthony Hanshaw and Jean Paul Mendy have battled through two opponents during a super middleweight tournament that has it’s climactic finish tonight as the two men square off at the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS, televised by Showtime on it’s Shobox program.
Both fighters have near identical records and given the competition they’ve faced during their careers are still considered prospects, but Hanshaw, 21-0 (14), is the the favorite going into tonight’s contest.
The 28 year old from Ohio holds an early career win over Kingsley Ikeke and stopped Lafarrell Bunteng this past October in the Showtime tournament semi final.
33 year old southpaw Jean Paul Mendy, 23-0 (12), spent the majority of his career fighting in his homeland of France and was a longtime domestic champion. For the last year and a half, Mendy has been fighting in America and most recently handily outpointed Henry Buchanan in the Showtime tournament.
Neither one of these fighters are big punchers and the winner may turn out to be the guy with the better stamina. Mendy has done more 10 and 8 rounders but neither man has been in a twelve round bout. The advantage here could be Hanshaw’s youth but he’ll have to negate Mendy’s sharp southpaw style if he is to take home the vacant IBO belt.
