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After eight years playing his trade on the Australian domestic fight scene, Mazoudier has finally signed off on the biggest opportunity of his career \u2013 a hyped US debut against Charlo on Sunday, October 18 (Australian time).<\/p>\n
The fight has been confirmed for the undercard of Sebastian Fundora\u2019s latest WBC title defence against Ermal Hadribeaj. <\/p>\n
Initially, Mazoudier was signed to face Charlo as a co-main to Tim Tszyu\u2019s recent win over Errol Spence Jnr in Sydney.<\/p>\n
However, the undefeated Texan was forced to withdraw late due to visa issues.<\/p>\n
Koen Mazoudier is embracing his underdog status ahead of the biggest fight of his career against Jermall Charlo in Las Vegas.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
From there, Mazoudier then agreed to fight on the undercard of last week\u2019s Nikita Tszyu versus Ben Mahoney showcase on the Gold Coast, and on the promise of still facing Charlo with victory.<\/p>\n
The Central Coast father-of-three subsequently scored a majority decision win over New Zealander Sam Beck.<\/p>\n
While the performance wasn\u2019t Mazoudier\u2019s best showing, he has hit back at those Aussie boxing analysts and fans now suggesting he shouldn\u2019t be taking the Charlo fight.<\/p>\n
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Mazoudier also explained how he was offered a fight with American great Thurman only last year, however rejected the bout as he and his coach, Joel Keegan, didn\u2019t feel he was ready.<\/p>\n
Instead, fellow Aussie Brock Jarvis took the fight and was stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s why I know I can win this fight,\u201d Mazoudier stressed. \u201cBecause I believe in my team and, when it comes to Charlo, my team believes in me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t just take fights out of desperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cSame as we haven\u2019t taken this fight for fun.<\/p>\n
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\u201cObviously when your job description is punching on, there are always risks involved. And yes Charlo is a threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is also a fighter who hasn\u2019t competed in 18 months. A guy who has fought only twice in the past five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo who knows what version of him is coming \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about those questioning his decision to face Charlo off the Beck performance, Mazoudier continued: \u201cI know I\u2019m not supposed to win this fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cSame as I know people are already writing me off.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m not stupid. I understand why people might be feeling that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I didn\u2019t show a lot of skill the other night. But what I do prove once again is that I\u2019m coming to take your f***ing head off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo while it wasn\u2019t my greatest performance, it was still a good, hard fight. And to get that a couple of months out from the biggest fight of my life is perfect.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been like a test run.<\/p>\n
\u201cA chance to look at what we got right, what we didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd of course, being a student of the game myself, I know what Charlo has done, know his statistics. I understand what\u2019s in front of me.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the challenge, the doubters, that excites me \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
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