Farmer vs Ogawa: Tevin Farmer can be Philadelphia's next star, says Paulie Malignaggi
"In boxing, some guys fight to be famous, others fight to become a champion, Farmer is firmly in that second bracket."
Wednesday 6 December 2017 13:53, UK
Tevin Farmer gets his long-awaited shot at a world title this Sunday morning as he takes on Kenichi Ogawa for the IBF world title, but what does Paulie Malignaggi make of the Philadelphia super-featherweight?
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I have to say that Farmer's story, the way he has come up the ladder, is a great one. He's shown a real passion for the sport and now he is one victory away from achieving his dream.
This is a very, very skilled kid we are talking about, yes, he was a bit mismanaged early on in his career but that passion has got him here. I look at boxing and some guys fight because they want to be famous, others fight because they want to become a champion, Farmer is firmly in that second bracket.
Even in the way he boxes, you get a feel for that passion, he loves what he does for a living and I'm looking forward to seeing him in the spotlight this weekend.
I do think Farmer will win the title and he may have to fight a big name right away. He has this ongoing rivalry with Gervonta Davis and I would love to see that fight.
Of course, we can't underestimate his opponent, Japanese fighters always come with a full head of steam and willingly give it 100%, I have no doubt Ogawa will do just that, this is his world title opportunity as much as it is Farmer's.
Right now though, the American is the man of the hour and the one being talked about. He comes from Philadelphia and in some ways, he represents the city's historical fighting style, let's remember Philly tends to produce two types of boxers.
While you have the guys who show a bit too much fight in them and love a toe-to-toe battle, you then have the guys who are wily and sneaky, the fighters who can really outsmart you, Bernard Hopkins is one that springs to mind. Farmer is one of those wily types, someone who can really get in your mind and confuse you. Even with that, all those guys can certainly box and fight as well.
I do think Farmer will win the title this weekend and he may have to fight a big name right away. He has this ongoing rivalry with Gervonta Davis and although I would love to see that fight, firstly, Davis needs to prove that he really can still make the 130lb limit.
Of course, that contest could happen sooner than we think, I just hope we see it at super-featherweight and Farmer isn't forced up in weight due to the familiar politics that come with the sport.
Watch Tevin Farmer versus Kenichi Ogawa and Stephen Smith against Francisco Vargas in Las Vegas from 3.20am this Sunday on Sky Sports Action.
