Fourteen months after his last fight, US-based Guyanese boxer Laured ‘The Lion’ Stewart is back in the ring on June 28 when he faces Mexican Carlos Valenzuela Gonzalez for the Universal Boxing Alliance (UBA) Cruiserweight title.
The fight, a six-rounder, is on the undercard of the Brandon Quarles and Axel Vega fight card in Mexico.
In his short career, Stewart has developed a penchant for victories via the knockout route, stopping three of his opponents in his four victories to date. His only loss has come at the hands of the unbeaten Jalen Renaud in the US.
Stewart tasted victory in his last encounter against fellow Guyanese Imran Khan, pulling off a knockout win at the Everest ground in April 2024.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, has been a stranger to victories in recent fights, losing six of his last seven bouts, including the last five on the trot. His lone victory came on debut, to go with a draw.
For Stewart, this is an opportunity to get his career moving with the ultimate aim of one day becoming a world champion.
“It’s a little difficult being in the army,” Stewart said of his world champion ambitions.
“But I’m committed to that cause and I’m training hard. I’m getting out the military next year and I’m going to give my last seven years wholeheartedly to boxing after that.”
Though he has been out of the ring competitively for over a year, Stewart has been in the gym training consistently. During this period however, he picked up an injury which caused an enforced break.
According to Stewart, since the Khan fight in Guyana many promoters reached out to him, but those fights never materialised.
With Gonzalez now aiming for a comeback, Stewart readily accepted the contest.
“I keep saying I’m going to be world champion, but if I can’t beat people like these with only a four-week call-up, I might as well stop boxing,” Stewart declared.
“We’re coming to turn Mexico on its head.”
“Training is coming good. I’m sparring with guys way heavier than me and they’re pushing me because this guy (Gonzalez) is coming down in weight for this fight.”
“We’re committed, we’re dedicated, we’re focused and I’m pushing myself. And once ‘The Lion’ starts to apply pressure very few people can stand the test.”
And once the knockout opportunity is presented, Stewart is determined to pounce on it, as the journey to becoming a world champion continues.
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