Light heavyweight Samuel Clarkson (16-3, 10 KOs) will be returning to ShoBox: The New Generation again on Friday, October 23rd, facing once-beaten Lavarn Harvell (15-1, 8 KOs). The bout will be his second appearance on ShoBox, with his last time being a third round stoppage of highly regarded prospect Jerry Odom in July.
“I feel good,” said Clarkson, who scored a first round knockout of Rayford Johnson a month ago in Texas. “When I get ready for a fight, I go to my spiritual place because my faith is very important to me. We’re training really hard, and I’m just ready to show the world that I’m supposed to be here.”
With his knockout of Johnson in August, Clarkson picked up his third straight stoppage win and sixth overall victory of the past year. In addition to the Odom win, that streak also includes a decision over former world title challenger Cedric Agnew. Ironically, though, it was a hard-fought defeat to super middleweight contender Jesse Hart in 2014 that the Texas native credits with leading him down his recent path of success.
“I fell short when I fought Jesse Hart,” Clarkson reflected. “After that fight, I had to make a decision. It was either fight hard or get out, and I’m a fighter. Win, lose or draw, I’m going to fight. The fight with Odom was not a fluke, and I’m looking to confirm that by making another statement on October 23rd. Even if the knockout doesn’t come, I’m going to brutally beat this guy. That’s how we’re training. Everything we do has been done brutally – running, hitting the bags, sparring, even the diet I put myself through. It’s a brutal sport, and I’m not looking to make any friends. I’m just here to fight for me and my family, and I am looking to brutally hurt this guy.”
Clarkson is a true fighter who is always willing to challenge himself and take risks. Those traits are key reasons why Uprising Promotions President Ronson Frank signed him earlier this year, and they are also instrumental in how he was able to secure his second bout on ShoBox in just three months. Currently the sixth-ranked American light heavyweight, Clarkson fully understands that a win over Harvell keeps him on a rapid pace that will eventually lead to a world championship opportunity.
“My grandmother told me I was going to be here before I could even see it,” he remarked. “Now, I can see it, and I am almost within reaching distance. It feels unbelievable, but it’s still not enough for me. Even when I fought Odom, that was how I felt. Everyone was saying ‘Man, do you realize what you just did?’ But I still felt that I hadn’t done enough. I felt as though I should have done better.
“I have to always push myself hard. After I handle this fight, I’m going to continue to go like I don’t have anything. I’m looking for a world title, and I can’t wait to get into that position. When that time comes, the world will know that I mean what I say, and my team is well prepared for what is coming our way.”
A couple of different locations are currently under consideration for the October 23rd episode of ShoBox: The New Generation, and additional details will be provided once confirmed.
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