By Jason Marchetti

Toka Kahn (19-1, 13 KOs) returns to New England this Friday night in Lincoln, Rhode Island for the main event bout at super featherweight. The card is promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Boxing at Twin River Casino. His opponent will be Mexican journeyman Mario Antonio Macias (28-20, 14 KOs).

No longer a prospect, Kahn has 20 professional bouts from 126 – 130 lbs. However, he has only fought in his home state on 3 occasions courtesy of signing a promotional deal with Top Rank in 2013. Top Rank rarely promotes cards on the East Coast and never in New England. Fightnews.com was able to catch up with the contender prior to his fight this weekend.

How difficult has it been building your career away from home? Have you decided to resign with Top Rank?

Top Rank has been a pleasure to work with. My contract with them ends in June, and I will likely resign then. They treat young fighters right and they know how to move guys. They have been doing it for years and I’m grateful.

Fighting out of state for every bout has its good and bad parts. It’s easier to keep focused at the task. However, it’s difficult to build a fan base away from home. On the other hand, [when fighting on another promoter’s card] you have to sell tickets. I don’t like being a salesman, but it’s worth it once in awhile to fight in Rhode Island.

Going into your last fight, you were 19-0 against Jhon Gemino 14-7. How do you explain your first loss to a virtually unknown opponent?

No excuses. I got caught early [in the first minute of the fight]. I prepared the same way, gym, road work, training camp. I never take opponents lightly. My hands were down and I was complacent. I have asked Top Rank for a rematch.

How is training camp different with new trainer Rob Valle? Who have you been sparring?

Big Rob trained BooBoo [Demetrius Andrade] early in his career. He’s a solid boxing coach. We have been working on defense. I want to box more and slow the pace of the fight. I still want to knockout my opponent, but instead of overwhelming power punches, I would rather use my conditioning to wear them down. Then, create a favorable distance and pick my spots.

In the past, I have sparred with Luis Rosa, Chris Algieri, and Javier Fortuna. Those guys prove I can box with the elites. For this camp, I have been traveling to Worcester, MA and working in Cranston, RI at 401 Boxing.

What can we expect Friday night and in 2017?

Definitely a knockout. In 2017, Top Rank has agreed to put me in 50/50 fights. I have one loss already and I don’t plan on earning another. Next year will make or break my career. I’ll either move up and ultimately contend for a title, or suffer losses and become an opponent for guys moving up. I’ll challenge anybody in the top 20 right now. I’m 24 and in my prime. If I had to give a name, I’d challenge [WBA Champion] Jason Sosa at some point in my career (Sosa is the only American title holder at 130 lbs.).

Other notable fights on the card is Shelly Vincent (18-1, 1 KO) vs. Marquita Lee (3-2) at featherweight and Kendrick Ball, Jr. (4-0-1, 3 KO’s) vs. Nathan Miller (9-0-1, 7 KO’s) at super middleweight.

Tickets for the CES Boxing Dec. 2nd season finale at Twin River are priced at $47.00, $102.00, $127.00 (VIP) and $152.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com, www.twinriver.com or www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club.