Featherweight boxing world champion Billy “The Kid” Dib has been given a dream opportunity to fight at the illustrious Madison Square Garden arena on December 1, putting his world title on the line against unbeaten Puerto Rican Jayson Velez (19-0, 14 KOs).
Dib (35-1, 21 KOs) has had chances to impress American pundits when he fought and lost at Madison Square Garden in 2007 and again for the featherweight title in Atlantic City in 2008.
By American standards Dib was considered to be defensive and somewhat lacklustre to watch, though since then has become an aggressive and exciting fighter, obliterating opponents, KO’ing 11 fighters from his last 14 wins.
“This is a big thing. It’s my opportunity to get back in the US, it’s going to be exciting,” said Dib, who has had six previous fights in the United States.
Puerto Rican Velez is a tall and awkward fighter and has height and reach advantages over Dib, though he has never come up against an opponent with such a resume.
Dib will defend his title for the third time, on a card headlined by WBA super welterweight world champion Austin Trout, who is defending against superstar and former champion Miguel Cotto.
He will soon travel to the US to begin preparations for the big occasion, hinting at using Britain’s former WBA super and IBF light welterweight world champion Amir Khan as a sparing partner.
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