The undercard for this Saturday’s Whyte-Povetkin show on DAZN and Sky Box Office features a very intriguing UK domestic welterweight matchup between Chris Kongo and Luther Clay, a fight that some believe has show-stealing potential as both fighters aim to take a step up the ladder at 147 pounds.
The 27-year-old Kongo (11-0, 6 KO) says that accepting a fight with the 24-year-old Clay (13-1, 5 KO) was a no-brainer, and that he didn’t think he needed a tune-up. Kongo has been out of action since April of 2019.
“I took the fight straight away,” said Kongo. “I didn’t even have to think about it. I’ve been waiting for the opportunity and it’s here now, so I’m going to take it with both hands. It has been a long time coming. I’ve come up the hard way in the sport of boxing and there’s fire in my belly. I’m going to rip the belt from him. I’m not taking any chances. I’m not leaving it to the judges. We’re going to rip the belt off the champion. Guaranteed.
“I believe I’m coming to take the title regardless of what Luther does. I believe this is my time. When it is someone’s time, it doesn’t matter what happens, you can’t stop it. I believe this is the moment Chris Kongo is going to be announced as one of the top Welterweights in the division. I need to prove that I am the number one welterweight in the country. I know my level. That’s why I believe I can be at the top table.”
The title Kongo is talking about is the WBO’s “Global” welterweight title, which was created in 2018. Clay won it in Sept. 2019, beating Dario Morello in Italy, and defended it successfully three months later against Freddy Kiwitt. It’s a secondary title, but any title can be important to the fighters, of course.
Kongo also expects Clay to bring pressure, but says he’s fully prepared for that.
“He’s going to try and bring the pressure because he thinks I’ll be rusty due to my time out of the ring. They’re going to be in for a big shock,” Kongo said. “They will try to put pressure on me and wait until the later rounds. It’s probably the worst thing they can do. We all know what kind of shape Jim McDonnell is going to have me in.
“We know he’s not going to try and out skill me or outbox me because he can’t do that. His greatest attributes are always coming from the front foot. If he wants to bring the pressure, trust me, we’re going to meet head on. I’m a big Welterweight. I’ll be ready for that.”