Adonis Stevenson to KO Thomas Williams Jr as daughter's birthday present
Last Updated: 29/07/16 9:06am
Adonis Stevenson says he will knockout Thomas Williams Jr as a birthday present for his daughter.
The WBC light-heavyweight champion puts his title on the line in his home town of Quebec City, Canada, on Friday night.
Stevenson (27-1-KO22) has kept away from world light-heavyweight No 1 Sergey Kovalev, and has cut short his role in his daughter's birthday celebrations as he defends his WBC strap for the seventh time.
After Thursday's weigh-in, Stevenson warned WIlliams Jr that he will become an extra present in the family celebrations.
''I know Williams hits hard and that he has a name now in the United States, but I keep the same Kronk Gym mentality Emmanuel Steward taught me," Stevenson said.
"We go for the KO. It is also the birthday of my daughter and I want to offer her a KO, I am motivated. This will be exciting... don't blink!'
Williams Jr (20-1-KO14) earned his shot by knocking out Edwin Rodriguez in two rounds in April, a feat former American super-middleweight Andre Ward could not manage when he fought the 31-year-old in 2013.
Bur with Ward likely to challenge WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion Kovalev in November and Nathan Cleverly fighting WBA world holder Juergen Braehmer live on Sky Sports in October, the challenger known as 'Top Dog' has warned Stevenson the other major title at 175lbs will be changing hands before that.
''You don't know what I have been through to be here," said Williams Jr.
"Tweets, talks and predictions won't mean nothing Friday night: facts will. There will be a new champion.''
Williams weighed in the heaviest of the two at 174.6lbs with Stevenson in at 173.6lbs.
