Some fighters are concerned by an opponent switch, especially in their premium cable debut… not Yudel Jhonson.
With original opponent Freddy Hernandez out, Cuba’s Johnson (12-0, 8 KOs) will now face Cleveland’s formidable Willie “The Great” Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs) on Friday, May 11in the 10-round light middleweight main event of a liveShoBox: The New Generation (11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®, delayed on the West Coast) doubleheadertelecast entitled “Shootout at Texas Station”.
“Shootout at Texas Station” is presented by Warriors Boxing live from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. In the co-featured bout, undefeated super middleweight Badou Jack “The Ripper” (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden will face Colombia’s also undefeated Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs).
“I’m ranked in the top 10 and I’m ready for anybody they put in front of me,” said a confident Jhonson, via translator. “I had 400 amateur fights and I was one of the best amateur fighters who ever lived. Now I’m ready to make my mark as a professional. I have a lot of experience. I’m a seasoned fighter, ready to fight any top 154 pounders in the world.”
Hernandez. Nelson. To Jhonson, it matters little.
“I don’t care who they put in front of me at this point. I’ve fought tall guys, short guys and every style you will ever see. Willie Nelson is a very good fighter, I’ve seen him fight, but there’s nothing he can do I haven’t already seen a hundred times and know exactly what to do with.”
Jhonson has been training with the great Cuban trainer Ismael Salas for this fight and says the two have perfect chemistry.
“I have to shine against Willie Nelson to get to the next level as a pro. I have to put in a performance that people will remember and I’m going to do it. I don’t know how the fight will go exactly, but I know I’m going out there to impress. Whatever it takes to impress people, that’s how I’ll make the fight go. I’m happy to be back on national television again and very happy Showtime gave me this opportunity to fight in a main event on their air.”
