Adonis Stevenson Predicts KO of Andrzej Fonfara, Eyes Ward-Kovalev Winner

With most of the combat sports world focused on UFC 212 this Saturday and the mega rematch between the top two light heavyweight boxers on the planet – Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev – on June 17, an intriguing battle that has flown under the radar is set for tomorrow night on Showtime.

WBC 175-pound champion Adonis Stevenson is set to defend his title against Andrzej Fonfara at Bell Centre in Montreal in what is an intriguing rematch in its own right. Stevenson has been on a tear lately, having won 15 in a row – 13 by KO – and he already holds a win over Fonfara. “Superman” is confident that he’ll be triumphant again and he has his sights set on much bigger fish in the sea moving forward.

“I’m ready because I know Fonfara is dangerous,” Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) said at the final pre-fight press conference earlier in the week. “We’re not underestimating him (but) I’m training for the knockout. Emanuel Steward always told me ‘knockouts sell.’ When I get in the ring I’m going for a knockout. It’s not an option for me to go 12 rounds (but) if it goes 12 rounds he’s going to get punishment the whole time.

  “My goal is to unify the titles with the winner of Kovalev and Ward,” Stevenson added. “I want the unification, but if not I’ll make my mandatory. If Ward wins I want to fight him, if Kovalev wins I want to fight him. I’m ready.”

Fonfara, who was born in Poland but currently lives in Chicago, has nothing to lose going into the fight, even with it being in the champ’s hometown. Fonfara tore up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and out-pointed Nathan Cleverly to rebound from his loss to Stevenson three years ago, but he was shockingly torched by Joe Smith Jr. in the first round last June. But even after stopping former world champion Chad Dawson in March, Fonfara is still a massive underdog coming in.

Since switching to Virgil Hunter as his head trainer, the Pole is convinced he’s a much better fighter and predicts the upset will occur.

“I’m a much smarter fighter now,” Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) said. “Stevenson only has a good left hand.  He’s the champ and he’s a good fighter, but his boxing isn’t amazing. He’s not easy, but he only has basic boxing skills. We must cut his left hand and be ready to throw my right.

  “I’m going to win the fight. A world title is the only thing I’ve never had,” Fonfara added. “I’ve imagined raising my hand after the fight and becoming the new WBC champion. I’m ready to take the title. My time has come. I’m ready to be the new world champion and I’ll do that Saturday night. He wants the KO, and I want the KO, too.”

The action will be broadcast live on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The opening bout of the telecast will see former light heavyweight world champ Jean Pascal (31-4-1, 18 KOs) take on surging contender and 2008 Olympian Eleider Alvarez (22-0, 11 KOs).