World Boxing Council (WBC) CABOFE flyweight champion, Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques believes his improved mental strength and focus will give him the edge over Jamaican, Rudolph ‘Cutting Edge’ Hedge on Saturday.
The pair will collide for Marques’ title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in the headline bout of the five-fight card dubbed ‘Jamaican Invasion.
“I have been more focused and fit as well as mentally stronger,” Marques told Stabroek Sport yesterday at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym. “This is the first time in my career that I feel so strong and focused,” the incarcerated fighter added.
Saturday’s bout against Hedge (7(2)-1-3 will be the first time that Marques 13(5)-2(2)-0 will be defending his title since capturing it last February and ‘De Kid’ has a point to prove.
“It’s so wonderful to be fighting again and to defend my title for the first time, this will be a great opportunity to show people that I am one of the best fighters in WBC and the world.
I know Hedge is a good fighter and I won’t take nothing from him but he got to do what he got to do and I have to do the same which is put my best foot forward and destroy him.
My fans will get what they deserve and I will do what I have to do to keep my title.”
Marques has been out of the ring since unanimously defeating Richard Williamson last October in a non-title slugfest and will be eager to continue his winning streak in his first defense of the belt.
Hedge, however, is no slouch with the glove since he took CABOFE bantamweight champion, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry to the distance in his last ring appearance in February last year, something Marques failed to do.
Dharry stopped Marques in the seventh round when the pair matched gloves in May 2011.
Both Marques and Hedge will be looking to pad their records and a punch filled bout is anticipated.
Trainer’s thoughts
Marques trainer, the legendary Lennox Daniels, told this daily that Marques’ imprisonment could perhaps be a blessing in disguise for his career.
“His incarceration has not affected him in anyway because he trains every day, morning and afternoon and he seems to be ok mentally.”
“I think he is more focused because all he has to do is prepare himself mentally and physically and I think he has achieved that.”
When quizzed on the man ‘De Kid’ has to face in the ring, Daniels stated:
“I had a look at the tape when he (Hedge) faced Elton (Dharry) and he is not a walkover but I think Dexter should be able to pull it off at the end.
The guy just comes to throw his hand and I think it’s going to come down to who wants it more but I have a gut feeling that Dexter wants it more so I will give him the edge.
Undercard
The undercard will feature local pugilists, Quincy Gomes (lightweight), Romeo Norville (super middleweight) and Mark Austin (light middleweight). They will oppose three of Hedge’s countrymen.
Gomes will take on Toriano Nicholas, Norville will square off against Kemehl Russell while Austin will face Devon Moncrieff.
The Gomes/Nicholas and Norville/Russell fights are each scheduled for four rounds while the Austin/Moncrieff bout is scheduled for eight.
Prior to those international fights, Williamson will lace it up against David Thomas in a four-round super lightweight contest.
Bell time is 20:00hrs. Tickets cost $1000. (Emmerson Campbell)
