Junior Fa prepares for Wilder undercard [1]
Friday, February 24, 2017 - 10:31. Updated on Sunday, February 26, 2017 - 15:33.
By Finau Fonua
Heavy weight boxer Junior Fa is in Alabama, preparing for his undercard to Deontay Wilder's highly anticipated WBC title defence against Gerald Washington this Saturday, 25 February. The undefeated Junior Fa (9 wins - 0 losses) will fight a southpaw from Virginia, Keith Barr (17 wins - 10 losses).
Keith Barr holds a humble record but is a credible opponent, having won all of his last eight fights. Junior Fa however, is confident of taking him out.
"I'm feeling sharp. I just can't wait to punch him in his face and in his ribs" he reported via live video on Facebook.
"I've just got one more training session to go...I'm good to go. I'm ready to fight."
The fight against Keith Barr is a milestone fight for Junior Fa, as it is his first fight as a promoted fighter since he was signed by Lou DiBella last month. The fight is also Fa's first outside of New Zealand.
"It is quite inspiring, it's just been a great chance for me to just step away from my country. Go into another country, somewhere where I'm not familiar. Get to know the people, get to see how the fighters train here. Compare it to what I do back home. If there's things that I think that I need to improve on, than I make those adjustments."
"But just from being on this trip so far, I have learnt a lot. And I think a lot of it is just been from the time that me and my coach have to spent together."
Fa also had a chance to meet Deontay Wilder, the current WBC Heavyweight champion.
"I've been soaking in the chance that I've had to meet the WBC champion Deontay Wilder. He's a great great guy, cool fellow. I've also got to meet Gerald Washington, the guy he's facing. So I've got to meet a lot of the guys that are fighting on this card, and I've just basically been able to see how they train and to watch what they do in the ring."
The Wilder vs Washinton championship event will take place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, this Saturday February 25 at 8 p.m. (local time).