Kevin Satchell, 14-0 (3KO’s), will now defend his European Flyweight title against mandatory challenger Thomas Masson, 12-3 (3KO’s), in the wake of a surprise defeat for Chinese boxing poster boy Zou Shiming, 6-1 (1KO), on 7th March.
Rumours were rife – following Satchell’s confident 1st round stoppage of the heavily outclassed Walter Rojas a night earlier – that the Liverpool man was next in line to face the would be superstar following an expected victory over IBF titlist Amnat Ruenroeng, 15-0 (5KO’s).
Disaster struck when Shiming fell to a 12-round unanimous defeat at the hands of the Thai underdog, curtailing Satchell’s accent to world level, in the short term at least.
“We will now answer our mandatory challenger Thomas Masson of France. However, we continue to work on a world title shot for Kevin for the end of the year.” Confirmed Neil Marsh, Kevin Satchell’s manager.
Satchell himself was understandably disappointed that such a huge fight is now on the back burner.
“Of course, I would have loved to go to Macau after hearing so many great things about it, I’ve heard it’s the next Las Vegas! So for the fight to be off I’m obviously disappointed.” He said.
“It’s not something I worry about though, I’ve got my mandatory for my European title against Thomas Masson that I will fully focus on and look to climb the IBF rankings and force myself into a mandatory position.” Satchell continued.
It’s a typical response from a man whose feet are well and truly planted on the floor – a man who by virtue of his weight class has been heavily tested early on in his career and passed each test, showing improvement at every stage.
So grueling has Satchell’s short career been to date, that it was pleasing to see him have an early night against Rojas at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. This was a feeling shared by the fighter himself.
“It was nice to have a short, easy nights work for once. It’s not like me either, I’m used to 12-round wars.” He joked.
All jokes aside, Satchell looked in authoritative mood, particularly with his body shots, which he and his trainers Mick and Paul Stevenson concentrated on throughout his training camp.
Satchell has always looked a classy operator, but if the edition of such a lethal weapon is maintained against a more challenging opponent, it will strike fear throughout the flyweight division.
“I’m feeling strong, doing the weight better and feeling huge at the weight. So, with that comes the extra power.” Satchell concluded.
At 26-years old the Everton Red Triangle native is about to reach his peak and if he deals with Masson in style, he will get the chance to prove it on the world stage.