A world title to position yourself

Rightly or wrongly, the IBO world title that Mary Spencer will fight for Friday night in Shawinigan is not the most prestigious in the world of boxing. However, that super welterweight belt could propel the 38-year-old Ontarian to greater heights.

“I don’t know if I’d be aiming for a win,” said Spencer, confident he could win against Belgium’s Femke Hermans (13-4, 5 KOs). Otherwise, it might put me in a better position as a title unification contender. There are two other champions in the division [Natasha Jonas et Terri Harper] and I want to face them.”

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About Jonas, WBC, WBO and IBF champion, remember she defeated Quebecer Marie-Ève ​​Dicaire in November in a unification match that took place in Manchester, England. Before he can continue dreaming, however, Spencer (7-0, 5 KOs) must defeat Hermans.

The 32-year-old Belgian has had an intriguing career, breaking the limit against Claressa Shields in December 2018 in a 10-round bout that was lost by unanimous decision of the judges. More recently, on April 2, Hermans lost in the third round to Savannah Marshall. She was then knocked out. by a left hook to the head.

Unafraid

“I saw her fight some of the best women in the world and she wasn’t scared,” Spencer said. She trades shot for shot in the middle of the ring and it’s exciting for me. I feel like I have to put myself in danger to throw my shots.

“I want to go the distance so she doesn’t use the length of her arms,” ​​Hermans said, knowing that Spencer has excellent punching power. This way she will use her power less. In the fights I’ve seen from her it’s been more static and for me it will be a different story.

The Belgian boxer, who is likely to move around quite a bit in the ring, says she’s feeling good since falling into the category, she who once fought at middleweight. A stay at the Bufi boxing club changed her, she says.

“I want to bring the belt home, that’s my goal,” said Hermans, immediately showing great respect to the Canadian. She has only had seven fights so far, but I know very well that she has had a long career at amateur level. So she has had good experiences.”

“A fair system”

About the IBO title, both boxers agree that the crown is underestimated.

“It’s true that a lot of people see the IBO title as the little brother of the other four organizations (WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF), but for me it’s still a world title,” said a Hermans. In my eyes it is just as important as the other titles and I will do everything to win it.

“The IBO uses a fair ranking system,” Spencer said. You can’t buy yourself an opportunity to compete for a title, you have to earn it. In other organizations, if your promoter has money, you may have a chance even if you change weight classes. At this level, the IBO is strict, so a respectable belt.

Spencer knows the boxing world well. Also, some news that could be as good as bad for her: Undisputed middleweight queen Clarissa Shields has just expressed interest in fighting one or the other of the 154-pound champions. This could only delay a possible confrontation between Spencer and Jonas. What if Shields shows interest in Spencer?

Around 3,000 tickets have been sold for the gala in Shawinigan so far. After the battle between Spencer and Hermans, Arslanbek Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) meets Germany’s Michael Wallisch (23-5, 16 KOs) in the evening’s final.

Darren Pena

Avid beer trailblazer. Friendly student. Tv geek. Coffee junkie. Total writer. Hipster-friendly internet practitioner. Pop culture fanatic.

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