Adonis Stevenson says he’ll be going for a knockout when he defends his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title against Andrzej Fonfara today. After all, as the late, great trainer Emanuel Steward told him: “Knockouts sell.”
“When I get in the ring I’m going for a knockout,” Stevenson said. “It’s not an option for me to go 12 rounds if it goes 12 rounds he’s going to get punishment the whole time. But I definitely am going for the knockout.”
The fight at Montreal’s Bell Centre will be a rematch of their action-packed meeting in 2014, when Fonfara sent Stevenson to the canvas but was knocked down twice himself as Stevenson won by scores of 115-110, 115-110 and 116-109.
That decision marks one of just two times in the last 10 years that Stevenson has gone the distance. He beat Sakio Bika by unanimous decision in April of 2015. The 39-year-old champion, who boasts a record of 28-1 with 23 knockouts, stopped Thomas Williams in the fourth round in his most recent title defense, on July 29 of last year.
While Fonfara is seeking a first world title, Stevenson is already thinking about unifying the division, saying he wants the winner of the upcoming bout between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward. “I want to unify the titles,” he said. “I think all the fans want that. I’m focused to win this fight with Fonfara and then unify the title. I started (my pro career) at 29 years old. I did not have a lot of amateur fights. My body is still good compared to other fighters that are younger.”
Stevenson has set his sights on the winner of Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev’s rematch, in an undisputed unification fight.  Ward puts the IBF, WBA and WBA ‘super’ titles on the line in the eagerly-anticipated return against Kovalev on June 17, and Stevenson has already called out the winner.
“My goal is to unify the titles with the winner of Kovalev and Ward,” he said. “I want the unification, but if not I’ll make my mandatory. If Ward wins I want to fight him, if Kovalev wins I want to fight him. I’m ready.”
Fonfara, 29, brings a record of 29-4 with 17 knockouts to the bout. Now living in Chicago, the Polish-born challenger says his move to respected trainer Virgil Hunter is paying dividends. Hunter coaches another pretty good light heavyweight and has for many years, unified champion Andre Ward, the last US male Olympic gold medal boxer.
“I’m a much smarter fighter now,” Fonfara said. “Mentally, I’m much stronger and smarter. I bettered myself. Virgil has taught me a lot of new stuff.  Some things worked in my last fight with Chad Dawson, some things didn’t.  But that was our first fight together. Now I’m ready to show everything in this fight.”
Fonfara (29-4, 17 KOs) has much respect for Stevenson, but says the champ has his limitations. “Stevenson only has a good left hand,” he said. “He’s the champ and he’s a good fighter, but his boxing isn’t amazing.  He’s not easy, but he only has basic boxing skills. We must cut his left hand and be ready to throw my right. We need to control him. I must start good in the first round and let him know that I’m here to win the fight.  And I’ll be the new champion.”