Heavyweight Cassius Chaney is trying to construct off his spectacular knockout of Trevor Bryan final November.
Chaney faces former 2012 U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter as a part of Don King’s “Fists of Fury” occasion on June 7, on the Arduous Rock Dwell at Seminole Arduous Rock Lodge & On line casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Chaney (23-1, 16 KOs), 36, is searching for a title struggle, and dealing with the 35-year-old Hunter (21-1-2, 15 KOs) is a step in the suitable path. Chaney, who misplaced a break up choice to George Arias in 2021, was as soon as thought-about a heavily-touted prospect who got here to the game late after being a ahead for the College of New Haven basketball group.
“My knockout over Trevor Bryan was so way back, so now I’m simply trying ahead to getting again into the ring,” mentioned Chaney. “It was a press release as a result of I used to be out of the ring for some time earlier than that struggle, so I’m trying ahead to getting again to it.”
Chaney was coming off a 14-month layoff and had solely had one struggle since dropping to Arias. That struggle, towards Matthew McKinney, lasted only one spherical earlier than Chaney received through a technical knockout.
“I sit up for getting again in there and showcasing my skills. I’ve grown loads this previous yr, been boxing always, and been round totally different fighters,” mentioned Chaney. “I’ve structured my group for me with folks I belief. I’m extra relaxed with my coaching as a result of I belief the folks I’m with. You don’t wish to be in a scenario the place you might be with a terrific coach however don’t belief them as a result of it makes it laborious to do sure stuff.”
In the meantime, Hunter hasn’t misplaced since his defeat to the now undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a struggle that came about on the cruiserweight division in 2017. Hunter has two attracts in his final six fights. His draw with Jerry Forrest was a priority as he confirmed indicators of fatigue, a trait not seen in his fights.
Chaney is raring to get firmly again on monitor and believes in his group. Hunter is probably the most completed fighter he has confronted on paper. The bout serves as a crossroads struggle for each as they enter or cross their mid-30s.
“Stylistically, Hunter is a a lot totally different matchup for me, so I’m trying ahead to that,” mentioned Chaney. “My final win is behind me, so it is a complete new problem, and I’m trying ahead to it.”
