02-22-2015, 02:02 PM
Gunnar Jackson confident of defending middleweight belt against Nathan Carroll
LIAM NAPIER
TOUGH TEST: Gunnar Jackson puts his WBO Oriental belt on the line against Australian challenger Nathan Carroll.
Middleweight champion Gunnar Jackson is confident of retaining his title against Australian challenger Nathan Carroll.
Jackson (20-5) puts his WBO Oriental belt on the line over 10 rounds against Carroll (10-2) at the Netball North Harbour Stadium on March 21.
Carroll, whose only losses came against Dennis Hogan (20-0), should pose a much tougher threat than Jackson's first title defence, which lasted just one minute 30 seconds when he knocked out Kurt Bahram in Hamilton last November.
"It's going to be a tough challenge. He's going to try and take that belt so I'm going to have to be on my game," Jackson said.
"I've seen one of his fights on YouTube. I'm expecting him to bring his best and come forward.
"I'm confident. We'll take it as it comes. If I find and opportunity to get him out of there I'll do it."
Jackson is eyeing a rise up the rankings - he sits 15th in the WBO, while former Australian middleweight champion Carroll is 15th with the WBA.
"That's the plan. If we get in the top 10 I'll be stoked. We'll see what opportunities arise after this fight."
In the semi main event, former Maori All Black, Blues and Crusaders hooker Slade McFarland will feature in his last corporate fight before turning professional.
Local resident and former three-time national amateur champion Shay Brock (2-0) will also be on the card.
"Hopefully we can pack the venue out," Jackson said. "We've got a few supporters coming up from Tauranga."
- Sunday News
LIAM NAPIER
TOUGH TEST: Gunnar Jackson puts his WBO Oriental belt on the line against Australian challenger Nathan Carroll.
Middleweight champion Gunnar Jackson is confident of retaining his title against Australian challenger Nathan Carroll.
Jackson (20-5) puts his WBO Oriental belt on the line over 10 rounds against Carroll (10-2) at the Netball North Harbour Stadium on March 21.
Carroll, whose only losses came against Dennis Hogan (20-0), should pose a much tougher threat than Jackson's first title defence, which lasted just one minute 30 seconds when he knocked out Kurt Bahram in Hamilton last November.
"It's going to be a tough challenge. He's going to try and take that belt so I'm going to have to be on my game," Jackson said.
"I've seen one of his fights on YouTube. I'm expecting him to bring his best and come forward.
"I'm confident. We'll take it as it comes. If I find and opportunity to get him out of there I'll do it."
Jackson is eyeing a rise up the rankings - he sits 15th in the WBO, while former Australian middleweight champion Carroll is 15th with the WBA.
"That's the plan. If we get in the top 10 I'll be stoked. We'll see what opportunities arise after this fight."
In the semi main event, former Maori All Black, Blues and Crusaders hooker Slade McFarland will feature in his last corporate fight before turning professional.
Local resident and former three-time national amateur champion Shay Brock (2-0) will also be on the card.
"Hopefully we can pack the venue out," Jackson said. "We've got a few supporters coming up from Tauranga."
- Sunday News