Kishawn ‘Pretty K’ Simon is unfazed about the change of his opponent for the December 13 card dubbed Rose Hall Showdown, in fact he has taken the switch right on the chin and is still confidently coming forward.
The light welterweight prospect 2(1)-2-0 was due to take on Mark Murray at the Rose Hall ground, but the organizers were tipped that Murray was just looking for an easy payday and would throw in the towel as soon as the opportunity was presented.
Hence, the former national lightweight champion, Revlon Lake 6(1)-12-2 was drafted in for the Mark Thom Promotions event.
Although the switch is far from ideal, improving his record by defeating a former national champion augurs well for the 24 year-old.
“It’s a better fight for me, it’s a good fight for boxing as well,” Simon said of the eight-round match up yesterday.
“It’s another challenge for me and whoever knows me know that I like challenges, I like to earn my respect, earn my credit and this is what it is. I’m just going to have more credit for knocking Lake out since I’m going after the knockout.”
The Rose Hall Town resident will start as favourite against Lake, who has avoided defeat just once in his last eight bouts – a majority decision win over Cecil Smith in 2011.
“I only found out recently but it doesn’t really make a difference,” said the orthodox fighter who has not fought since dropping a split decision verdict to Cassius Matthews Boxing Day last year.
“This is my hometown and this is my show,” Simon boasted. I have all the tools to win and come December 13 I’m going to be victorious. Simon added that the match up with Lake “is going to show the potential that I have, I’m in the sport to be the world champion and pound for pound king, I’m going out to win and look spectacular doing it.
The change of opponent doesn’t faze me in anyway, I’m just happy to be in the ring again, it’s about building myself to the ultimate level and this is how the journey goes.”
The Rose Hall Town Showdown will also feature Berbician pugilists, Derrick Richmond and Richard Williamson. Richmond will face Romeo Norville in a scheduled six-round super middleweight contest while Williamson matches gloves with Dillon Allicock for the vacant super bantamweight title. (Emmerson Campbell)
