JACK ASIS HEADS TO JOHANNESBURG FOR MALCOLM KLASSEN DEFENCE

By Aus-Boxing.com

JACK Asis will travel abroad to make the first defence of his IBO super featherweight title on July 29th.
The 33-year-old Toowoomba resident will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he will meet well-travelled former IBF super featherweight titleholder Malcolm Klassen in an excellent stylistic matchup.
Klassen (32-6-2, 17 KOs) has a credible professional record that has seen the talented South African suffer just two defeats in nine years, with both losses coming in title fights against Robert Guerrero and Will Tomlinson.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Asis in a press release issued by TGW Smithy’s Promotions.
“It’s a very hard fight for me but I will try my best. This belt means so much to me and I’m very proud to defend it.”
Asis (35-18-5, 18 KOs) was originally scheduled to face Vyacheslav Gusev in Russia. However, Gusev sustained an injury – which forced him to withdraw – opening the door for a maiden title defence in Johannesburg.
“One day after agreeing to terms with Gusev, I received an offer from Klassen’s camp,” said Brendon Smith.
“Once we received news that Gusev was out, I was able to re-open negotiations with Klassen’s camp and we’ve been able to make this bout happen. It’s a huge fight – for not only Jack – but also Australia,”
“Jack will go to South Africa as the defending world champion. That’s an incredible feat in itself.”
“Malcolm Klassen is a very good fighter, he has a profile. Klassen has held several major titles and has fought as the main event in South Africa, Namibia, United Kingdom and America. He is used to the big stage.”
“He wants another world title and to do that he needs to go through Jack Asis,”
“Jack is just as hungry to retain the belt – this is a mega fight – Jack is world class and belongs on this stage.”
“It’s a tough fight but a fight Jack Asis can win.”
Asis is looking to add to his impressive fifteen-fight and return home to Toowoomba with his belt in tow.
“My only focus now is training and preparing for this big bout,” concluded Asis.
“It’s the biggest fight of my career so I need to be in career-best condition,”
Photos: Visual Delight/Wildman Photography