Mateusz Masternak (32-1, 23 KOs) has described his interim WBA World title showdown with Youri Kalenga (19-1, 13 KOs) on June 21st at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco as the most important fight of his career.
The Polish cruiserweight believes that victory over Kalenga will not only bring him closer to his World title dream but will allow him to atone for his defeat to Grigory Drozd in Moscow last October.
‘’Undoubtedly, this fight with Kalenga is the most important fight of my whole professional career,’’ said Masternak.
‘’If I win, I will be just one step away from the World Championship and a good performance can erase the bad impression left after my loss to Drozd.
‘’There is no need to look backwards now. Together with my coach we have analyzed my performance and drawn the proper conclusions from what happened in Moscow.
‘’The defeat has taught me a lot and it has made me hungrier and more determined. I hope it will be my last because now I know how much it hurts.’’
A change of trainer and back-to-back victories have followed Masternak’s only career defeat. Having returned from an eight-week training camp with new coach Piotr Wilczewski, ’’The Master’’ is fully focused on his latest opponent, the hard-hitting Congolese cruiserweight Youri Kalenga.
‘’I know Kalenga is a very dangerous fighter,’’ said the 27 year-old Pole. ‘’He can knock out his opponents with a single punch. I am expecting a tough fight but we have prepared a good tactical game plan and I am confident that I will be bringing the belt back to Poland.’’
