Badou Jack is a star. Not simply because he can fight, has good looks, and stays out of trouble although those are very valid reasons. No, Jack should be the primary poster boy in the post-Floyd, Jr. era because he’s just that good.
[jwplayer kNtODtd9]
Jack (22-1-2, 13 KOs) is a Swedish professional boxer, father, husband, and a devout Muslim. He is a former world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC super middleweight title from 2015 to 2017 and the WBA light heavyweight title in 2017. As an amateur he represented The Gambia at the 2008 Olympics, reaching the first round of the middleweight bracket and was the nation’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies.
Approaching The Fight: Stevenson vs. Jack | May 19 on SHOWTIME
WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson is set to make his ninth, and perhaps most difficult, world title defense when he faces two-division world champion Badou Jack Saturday, May 19 live on SHOWTIME from Air Canada Centre at 10:05PM ET/PT.
After meeting former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs in Sweden in 2009, Jack decided to go to the States and try his luck in the bigger U.S. media hyped game of boxing. It proved a successful move as Jack quietly racked up a record of 10-0 before his breakout fight against Alexander Brand which he won via split decision giving the then-undefeated prospect his first loss.
After being seen by Floyd Mayweather and instantly signed, Jack worked the ranks until he got his first world title bout as a super middleweight against then-champion Andre Dirrell. Jack upset the boxing world by defeating Dirrell via majority decision (116-112, 115-113, 114-114), taking more and more control of the fight as it went on and exposing the champions inability to fight in close quarters. Jack had a fight of the year worthy performance against James DeGale last year which yielded a draw before deciding to depart for the light heavyweight division.
On the night of one of the combat sports world’s biggest stages, Mayweather vs. McGregor, Badou Jack represented The Money Team well and WBA light heavyweight title in his first outing in the division against Nathan Cleverly with a fifth-round KO of the Welshman.
Fighter of the Week: Adonis Stevenson
FIGHTER OF THE WEEK: Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson defends his WBC belt TONIGHT against former two-division titleholder Badou Jack. WATCH the bout LIVE on SHOWTIME at 10 pm ET/PT. #StevensonJack Visit PremierBoxingChampions.com for info. SIGN UP FOR FIGHT ALERTS: http://pbcham.ps/FightAlerts FOLLOW US: https://twitter.com/premierboxing https://instagram.com/premierboxing https://www.facebook.com/premierboxingchampions
Next up is his biggest challenge yet this weekend in WBC light heavyweight champion, Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) who has held the green belt since 2013 and has notable wins over Chad Dawson, Tony Bellew, Sakio Bika and more. Stevenson will make the ninth defense of his title against Jack in the biggest and most meaningful fight in the 175-pound division in 2018 from Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Saturday night.
“When Floyd told me he was going to give me this fight I said, ‘Why not? This is the bigger fight.’ He can start looking for excuses now because I’m going to knock him out,’ said Jack at yesterday’s final press conference in Canada.
With Gervonta Davis higher on the food chain in the minds of the public due to his flashiness and affiliation with Adrien Broner, Jack is the humble champion that is quietly dominating and keeping the sanctity of the Mayweather Promotions name intact.
Stevenson vs. Jack: Press Conference | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis Stevenson defends his title against former two-division world champion Badou Jack. Plus, featherweight champion Gary Russell, Jr. defends his title against challenger Joseph Diaz. Live Saturday, May 19 at 10:05PM ET/PT.
“Badou is not just a great champion inside the ring, he’s a great champion outside the ring,” said Floyd Mayweather at yesterday’s press conference. “Everything that Badou Jack has got in the sport of boxing he has earned by going out there, working hard and being the best that he can be.
“The matchup is a 50-50. Anything can happen in the sport of boxing. All it takes is one shot. One thing we do know about Badou Jack is he can give it and he can take it. He’s not going to back down from any opponent.”
If Floyd Mayweather is truly retired from boxing and his promoter hat is firmly on, then it is fighters like Badou Jack that will carry the torch and light the flame of legacy for his brand. Purist boxing morals and lifestyle are what made the Mayweather brand and fighter’s like Badou Jack are here to continue that legacy of quality boxing sans the flash that elevated Mayweather’s defensive style into entertainment.
This weekend will prove if Jack is ready to be the best in the division and keep the Mayweather name at the top.
