With next month’s massive matchup between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson set to capture the world’s attention, two Canadian fighters will be getting in on the action as well.
On Thursday, Most Valuable Promotions, which was co-founded by Paul in 2021, announced the undercard for the big event taking place on Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Melinda ‘The Whip’ Watpool will take on American Shadasia ‘The Sweet Terminator’ Green for the vacant WBO super middleweight title and Lucas ‘Prince’ Bahdi is set to fight Corey ‘2Smoove’ Marksman.
Watpool, who has a 7-0 record with two KOs, is ranked as the WBO’s No. 2 super middleweight contender and WBA’s top middleweight contender. She says she wants to score an upset.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity to fight on the big stage for a world title,” Watpool said. “I’m prepared for Shadasia Green and ready to cause an upset in Texas.”
Last month, Watpool, of Pefferlaw, Ont., had a decisive win over Natasha Spence to claim the WBA international middleweight championship.
Her opponent, Green, has a professional record of 14-1 with 11 KOs, with her only loss coming last year against Franchon Crews Dezurn via unanimous decision for the WBC super middleweight title.
“I am really excited to be a part of such an historic event,” Shadasia Green said. “I am sure my opponent will bring the best out of me and I’m looking forward to winning the WBO World title.”
Bahdi, who has a record of 17-0 with 15 KOs fights out of Niagara Falls. The 30-year-old contender has gone undefeated since making his professional debut in 2019, winning his first 11 fights by knockout.
“It’s truly an honour to fight on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson preliminary card,” Bahdi said. “All boxers dream of fighting in mega-events like this and in venues like AT&T Stadium and I can’t wait to put on a big performance.
“Corey Marksman better be ready for what’s coming.”
Marksman, of Orlando, Fla., also sports an undefeated record at 10-0-1 heading into the 10-round lightweight bout.
“My last fight on the Paul vs. (Mike) Perry card changed the present and this fight is going to change my future,” Marksman said. “To be fighting in the same ring as a legend like Mike Tyson as part of the first live professional sporting event on Netflix ever is going to cement me in history. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I won’t miss the call.”
Also on the undercard announced Thursday, rising star Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington Jr. will take on Australia’s Dana ‘Deadly’ Coolwell.
With the much-anticipated mega-fight between the legendary Tyson and YouTube star-turned-boxer Paul headlining the show, the main card also will feature super lightweight champion Katie Taylor against unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, WBC welterweight champion Mario ‘El Azteca’ Barrios defending his title against Abel Ramos, and Indian star Neeraj Goyat vs. Brazil’s Whindersson Nunes.
Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis.