Badou Jack is backing Oscar Ahlin to follow in his footsteps and become World Champion.
The professional fighters from Stockholm met as amateurs and have stayed in contact ever since. Ahlin has just returned from Las Vegas where he has been training alongside Jack at the Mayweather Boxing Gym.
Ahlin fights on April 23 at the Hovet in Stockholm against Patrick ‘Tiger’ Mendy, while Jack, who claimed the WBC World Super Middleweight title against Anthony Dirrell in April 2015, is preparing for a second defence of his title against Lucian Bute on April 30 in Washington.
‘’I’ve known Oscar since he was a little kid,’’ says Jack. ‘’I met him in a boxing gym back in Stockholm and we’ve been friends ever since.
‘’He’s a very talented fighter and he’s got good rhythm, which is something you can’t teach. He has the potential to go all the way and become World Champion one day. He just needs to keep focused, train hard and listen to his trainer and he can reach the top.’’
Jack will be watching with interest as Ahlin and Team Sauerland’s other Swedish stars fight one April 23 at the Hovet. ‘’I always follow Oscar’s career,’’ he says. ‘’Hopefully all the young guys can go as far as I have.’’
Although focusing on his fight with Bute, Jack admits he would be interested in a homecoming fight in Stockholm. ‘’I always take things one fight at a time,’’ said the World Champion. ”I’m not looking past Bute who is a very strong fighter, but when I take care of him, we can see what’s next. I would love to fight in Stockholm one day.’’
Oscar Ahlin fights as part of a blockbuster bill in the in the Swedish capital on April 23. In a co-featured main event, Erik Skoglund faces the tough South African Ryno Liebenberg and WBC Female World Super Welterweight Champion Mikaela Lauren defends her title against former World Champion Ivana Habazin.
On the undercard Klara Svensson rematches Lucia Morelli and heavyweight Otto Wallin faces the big punching Brazilian Irineu Beato Costa Junior.
Tickets for the Nordic Fight Night on April 23 at the Hovet in Stockholm are available online via http://www.globearenas.se and http://www.AXS.com, by calling (+46) 0771-31 00 00 and from the Stockholm Globe Arenas Box Office.
