Underdog Adam Harper has warned former Olympian Anthony Fowler that their 10-round super-welterweight battle at Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp 2 won’t be a one-sided formality.
The contest, operating as chief support for Terri Harper’s WBC and IBO super-featherweight title defence against Natasha Jonas in the main event, has Rio 2016 participant Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) as the heavy favourite in the eyes of many.
However, Adam Harper (9-1, 0 KOs) had to harry promoter Eddie Hearn for this opportunity and has no intention of making up the numbers.
“Thank you Eddie for not getting an injunction against me,” joked Harper at the beginning of the final press conference ahead of Friday’s showdown at Matchroom’s Mascalls HQ. “I think I counted 36 messages I sent you looking for a fight like this.
“I’m a massive underdog here. Fowler is a Team GB kid that we all look up to, we all know how good he is and what he’s capable of, but it means there’s no pressure on me.
“I looked up the odds and he’s 1-6 to knock me out, so the pressure is all on him to finish me, and I’m going to show that you should sign me after this fight.”
Despite the difference in media coverage, Harper does not see much between the two on their professional records so far.
“We’ve had one loss each and my loss came against a better opponent,” continued the 32-year-old, who hasn’t fought in almost two years following a health scare that temporarily forced him into retirement. “We’ve both had two great wins so far, and one defeat.
“I’m game, I’m fit, I’m coming to fight and I will bring the pressure. I’ve a lot of respect for Anthony but I’m here to upset the apple cart. This fight is life-changing for me.”
Fowler, 29, believes this fight is custom-made for him to look good as he and many others return from the coronavirus-enforced absence of live boxing for several months.
“I’m really excited,” he explained. “I think Harper’s style will play into my hands.
“He’s a perfect opponent for me right now. Never been stopped, great style. He’s the perfect opponent for me to look good and show what I’ve learned under Shane McGuigan.
He’s a game kid but I’ll be smart and pick my shots. We will see how much heart he has really got when I’m hitting him and stinging him with my shots.”
Should he pass this test, one of Fowler’s targeted next opponents is Ted Cheeseman, who outlasted Sam Eggington at the very first Fight Camp event on Saturday in an all-out war.
“I was so pumped after watching Eggington-Cheeseman, I went out for a run straight after it finished”, Fowler said.
Matchroom Boxing's Fight Camp 2, headlined by Harper vs Jonas, airs live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. on Aug. 7.