Jermaine Franklin and Otto Wallin will be part of next Saturday’s Claressa Shields-Christina Hammer Showtime event in separate heavyweight matches.
And the two unbeaten boxers feel now is the time to make an impact in the division.
The card takes place live from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City with Shields and Hammer squaring off for the undisputed female middleweight title.
Franklin meets Rydell Booker in a 10-round heavyweight contest. He is a 25-year-old from Saginaw, Michigan.
“Booker is in the way of where I’m eventually trying to be,” said Franklin. “I’m part of that next generation of heavyweights and I’m working hard to end up as the heavyweight champion when the dust settles. I always find a way to win and I’m going to show it on April 13.”
Wallin, meanwhile, squares off with Nick Kisner in a 10-round heavyweight match. The Swede moved to the U.S. to train with Joey Gamache in New York after his last fight, a win over Adrian Granat.
“Coming to the U.S. for the second part of my career is very exciting,” said Wallin. “I’ve accomplished a lot in my career in Europe but this is a new beginning. This is the moment I’ve been dreaming of since I first laced up mitts and I can’t wait to introduce myself to the fans here.”
In addition to being Wallin’s U.S. debut, the unbeaten heavyweights will make their first appearances on Showtime and it will be Franklin’s first time fighting in the northeast. They each hope to show off their respective talents and are prepared for what comes with the increased platform.
“This is a great chance for me to showcase my skills, but I still treat it like just another fight,” said Franklin. “I’m going to adapt to my opponent and expose his weaknesses. I’m always improving because once you think you know it all, that’s when you find out you know nothing.”
Wallin said much the same, adding “I’m just a kid from a small town in Sweden and I’ve worked hard to get to this point. Training here in the U.S. and fighting here is going to help me put on the best performance of my career. The fun begins on April 13 and I’m not stopping until I am champion.”
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