Meadowdale’s Knapp ready for toe to toe contests

New York has called and heeding its invitation for arguably the biggest fight of his career is the 21-year-old junior middleweight boxing revelation from Meadowdale, Roarke Knapp.

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But awaiting his arrival in the Big Apple and fight challenger for the scheduled boxing extravaganza in July will be American boxer Justin Steavy. Knapp has only one hurdle to overcome before then, all be it a six-round bout against the Congolese-born Mbiya Kanku at Emperors Palace today, June 8.

The 1.76m-tall Knapp, who boasts an impressive career record of 8-0-1-0 (eight wins, zero losses, one draw and zero no contests), is braced for the all-out assault against Kanku, while at this stage turning very little thought to the American assignment that beckons.

The fighter said he is under no illusions as to the grandeur of both upcoming contests, more so the latter as it will be the first overseas bout of his burgeoning career. In the pre-fight sit down with Knapp, the boxer cut a relaxed figure, and was unperturbed at the enormous attention and expectation on his shoulders.

The young boxer discussed his current state of mind and preparations for the upcoming two biggies.

With the stark glare of a lion apparent in his eyes, he presents minimal hints of the pre-event nerves, that are even for some experienced campaigners hard to shake off.

He emphasised that he needed to take care of business against Kanku first, and hopefully be the one to hoist his arms in the air at the end of this contest.

A win under his belt here will be just the fuel needed for him to inject disdain, confidence and perhaps more importantly, power in every jab, hook and uppercut thrown at Steavy.

“At this point, it’s just tunnel vision and about getting myself into the zone,” said a calm Knapp.

“These fights are back-to-back, so there’s really no room for me to slack or slip up. What is important for me right now is to get rid of June 8.

“Yes, there’s the big trip to America coming up, and sure it will be the biggest test for me, but I can’t overlook anybody,” he said.

“I’m fully focused on June 8 for now. America hasn’t really crossed my mind while preparing for this fight. I feel in good shape, I’m fit and my trainer is really happy with where I am.”

Not one to submit or be shoved into a corner, Knapp tackled the question on game plans against Steavy head on.

He admitted that while preparations will begin shortly after his fight against Kanku, not much will be tweaked and changed in terms of his training, unless absolutely necessary.

“We don’t change anything unless it needs to be changed.

“My strength and conditioning training have been going well, just as well as with my boxing training. We’ve, however, added another trainer into the camp to work on the more technical stuff,” Knapp revealed. And with his eyes, mind and fists again firmly fixed on the challenges ahead, Knapp took off with eager anticipation in his stride.

“Until we spar again, old boy!”

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