Australia’s Koen Mazoudier has hit back at critics suggesting he shouldn’t be challenging American superstar Jermall Charlo in Las Vegas – and points to his rejection of a fight with Keith Thurman as proof.
The declaration comes as Mazoudier announced he will be taking preparations to Japan later this month, while also revealing how Danny Green, Jeff Horn, even George Kambosos are helping him ready for what shapes as a real life Rocky moment.
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After eight years playing his trade on the Australian domestic fight scene, Mazoudier has finally signed off on the biggest opportunity of his career – a hyped US debut against Charlo on Sunday, October 18 (Australian time).
The fight has been confirmed for the undercard of Sebastian Fundora’s latest WBC title defence against Ermal Hadribeaj.
Initially, Mazoudier was signed to face Charlo as a co-main to Tim Tszyu’s recent win over Errol Spence Jnr in Sydney.
However, the undefeated Texan was forced to withdraw late due to visa issues.
From there, Mazoudier then agreed to fight on the undercard of last week’s Nikita Tszyu versus Ben Mahoney showcase on the Gold Coast, and on the promise of still facing Charlo with victory.
The Central Coast father-of-three subsequently scored a majority decision win over New Zealander Sam Beck.
While the performance wasn’t Mazoudier’s best showing, he has hit back at those Aussie boxing analysts and fans now suggesting he shouldn’t be taking the Charlo fight.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Mazoudier also explained how he was offered a fight with American great Thurman only last year, however rejected the bout as he and his coach, Joel Keegan, didn’t feel he was ready.
Instead, fellow Aussie Brock Jarvis took the fight and was stopped.
“And that’s why I know I can win this fight,” Mazoudier stressed. “Because I believe in my team and, when it comes to Charlo, my team believes in me.
“We don’t just take fights out of desperation.
“Same as we haven’t taken this fight for fun.
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“Obviously when your job description is punching on, there are always risks involved. And yes Charlo is a threat.
“But this is also a fighter who hasn’t competed in 18 months. A guy who has fought only twice in the past five years.
“So who knows what version of him is coming …”
Asked about those questioning his decision to face Charlo off the Beck performance, Mazoudier continued: “I know I’m not supposed to win this fight.
“Same as I know people are already writing me off.
“And I’m not stupid. I understand why people might be feeling that way.
“I know I didn’t show a lot of skill the other night. But what I do prove once again is that I’m coming to take your f***ing head off.
“So while it wasn’t my greatest performance, it was still a good, hard fight. And to get that a couple of months out from the biggest fight of my life is perfect.
“It’s been like a test run.
“A chance to look at what we got right, what we didn’t.
“And of course, being a student of the game myself, I know what Charlo has done, know his statistics. I understand what’s in front of me.
“But the challenge, the doubters, that excites me …”
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What also excites Mazoudier is that long list of Australian fighters who have caused boilovers against some of boxing’s biggest names.
“It’s not just in Rocky where crazy things happen,” he continued, grinning.
“In this sport, you can go from living on the streets to world titles. Go from being somebody’s handpicked opponent to the guy who scores a massive upset.
“And history shows us Aussies have a proud history of earning victory against the odds.
“Think about Lionel Rose over Fighting Harada, or Danny Green versus Roy Jones. There’s Jeff Horn against Manny Pacquiao, George Kambosos against Teofimo Lopez, even Jeff Harding versus Dennis Andries.
“That list proves we have a knack of getting it done against the odds.
“And that’s something I’ll be drawing on this camp. That Aussie warrior spirit.”
It has now been over two years since Mazoudier lost his incredible war against Nikita Tszyu, and the fighter says the timing of what now shapes as the greatest opportunity of his life could not be more perfect, stressing: “You can’t deny the magic of what’s happening here”.
And why?
“Ever since the Nikita Tszyu fight, I’ve really been trudging along,” he continued. “Going through the motions and having that feeling of continually pushing uphill.
“But now this fight is sorted, it really has reminded me how much I f***ing want this.
“And how close I am to achieving all my dreams.
“I’m so excited.”
“It all feels exactly right. I’m a big believer in everything happening for a reason and so I know there is a bigger plan in play here.”
As part of his preparations for Charlo, Mazoudier will head to Japan in coming days with Complete Boxing stablemate Sam Goodman, who fights Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF super bantamweight title on September 27.
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“Initially, I was going over to watch and support Sammy, but now I’ll be in camp there myself,” Mazoudier said.
“I’ll get rounds in, and some quality rounds, so everything is working out perfectly.”
And as for how his life changes with victory over Charlo?
“I’m not looking at anything beyond this fight,” Mazoudier stressed. “As soon as I finish up talking with you, I’ll be shutting down and shutting up basically.
“I’m going into war mode from Monday. I’ll be shutting my mouth and working.
“Because nobody even predicted this fight … so who can say what’s coming next?”