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News Flash
The opponent for light welterweight Verquan "The Show" Kimbrough (21-3-3, 7 KOs) on the July 9 Gladiator X Promotions card from Atlanta's Club Europe is rugged Atlantic City, NJ veteran John "Eastern Beast" Brown (24-18-2, 11 KOs). Brown has lost four world title bouts in his career. The bout is set for 6 rounds. Eight bouts are scheduled.
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Get up close at ringside at fights throughout the Deep South. You can almost feel the sweat! Visit the Fight Card Photos section. Go now...
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Lafayette, LA's Jessie Fletcher, won the 80-pound, 10-11-year-old age group at the Title National Championship Tournament in Ripley, TN on June 5. A decorated amateur boxer, Fletcher defeated Memphian Eugene Collins by RSC in the second round. Fletcher only started boxing in January of 2009, but has won four championships in his age group. Go now...
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At 5-foot-3, Kansas City, MO light middleweight Melisenda Perez is used to having to fight much taller opponents. Despite the height disadvantage, Perez has managed to be a force in her division. Perez won a 4-round unanimous decision over Batesville, AR's April Ward Saturday night (July 10) on Les Bonano's "Battle On The Bay" card at Hollywood Casino. Read more...
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Professional Boxing
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Menard Confident Heading Into Thursday's Championship Title Defense |
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Mason Menard defends his Louisiana State lightweight belt Thursday against Thomas Dardar. (Photo credit: Team Menard)
By Randy Hammons
Editor
Though he is the reigning Louisiana State Lightweight champion, Mason Menard still has some doubters out there.
Menard (9-1, 7 KOs) would like nothing better than to turn those doubters into believers come Thursday night (Feb. 25) in his own hometown. Menard meets Thibodaux, LA's Thomas Dardar (8-1, 5 KOs) in the 8-round main event at Rayne Civic Center on Chad Broussard's BoxNcar's Promotion's "Battle for the Belt" card.
There has been somewhat of a simmering feud between the camps. In the weeks leading up to the fight, Dardar has reportedly told everybody within earshot that he is going to leave Rayne with Menard's belt wrapped around his waist.
Dardar is trained by former Olympic Gold Medalist Kennedy McKinney. His manager is Damien St. Pierre, of Golden Meadow. Menard is trained and promoted by Broussard.
The 21-year-old Menard said Dardar, 35, is dreaming big.
"Kennedy and Damien asked for this fight. They say they're coming to take my belt," Menard said. "Apparently they have some confidence. I'm not giving up my belt. I've prepared well for the fight. It's not just anybody who can come in and take my belt. I'm well prepared and on top of my game.
"They're going to have to bring it," Menard said.
A southpaw, Dardar is known to come straight forward. Menard said that suits his style just fine.
"I know he's tough and going to keep coming. He's got five knockouts, so I'm guessing he's got some type of power," Menard said. "He's going to come with looping shots and try to take my head off. I'm going to catch him with hooks and straight right hands. He'll try and smother me. I like somebody who is going to come straight at me.
"I have a little trouble with left-handers depending on what their stance is," Menard admitted. "With him coming in right at me, it makes it easier for me if he comes in hard. I'll give him angles and catch him with that right hand and it will be over quickly. Due to his toughness, I'll say three rounds is the latest he'll go."
In his last outing in November at Cut Off, LA, Dardar was knocked down twice in the opening round by Cedric Phelps, but turned the tables and knockout out Phelps in the second round. In all, Dardar has visited the canvas three times in his career.
In his first fight before a hometown crowd, Menard was knocked out in 2008 by Carl McNichols. Since that loss, Menard has won twice by KO in fights in Rayne. Menard was also knocked down in another fight.
Menard won the Louisiana Lightweight title in his last fight when he stopped John Temple in the second round. That was Menard's first bout that was scheduled for eight rounds.
Menard made it to the 2007 Olympic trials fighting at 132 pounds. He works as a personal trainer when not in the ring.
The vast majority of Deep South Boxing readers believe Menard will win big. On the Deep South Boxing on-line poll, 75 percent see Menard winning by knockout, while 14.6 percent see Menard winning a decision. On the other hand, only 8.3 percent see Dardar winning by knockout.
"I'm confident fighting at home now," Menard said. "I've got my stuff together and my head together. I'm well prepared." |
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