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11/05/2004 Archived Entry: "Gardner Gets Title Shot November 20th Against Olajide"
Gardner Gets Title Shot November 20th Against Olajide
Brockton,Ma- Cappiello promotions announced today that junior middleweight contender Ian "The Cobra" Gardner, 17-1, 7ko, will be stepping up and taking on fellow once beaten Tukombo Olajide, 20-1. 17ko. The fight, which is not expected to make the HBO telecast, will be on the undercard of the undisputed title fight between Shane Mosley and Winky Wright at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Promoter Richie Cappiello announced today that the fight will be 12 rounds for the Vacant NABO and NABC junior middlweight titles. A top 15 ranking in both the WBO and WBC is also at stake. Gardner is coming off of a huge win over world rated Kuvanych Toyganbaev which has set him up for an even bigger opportunity against the hard hitting Olajide. Making things even more interesting is that both fighters are Canadien born, Gardner is from Toronto while Olajide hails from Vancouver. Knowing the risk at stake Cappiello is extremely confident in what Gardner can do. "When an opportunity like this presents itself you have to go for it, the bigger the risk the better the reward," said Cappiello. "We know what kind of fighter Olajide is but I have all the confidence in the world that Ian will come out on top." Gardner, who is always in great shape says he is constantly in the gym. "I have been in the gym pretty much since my last fight. The last few weeks, however, I have brought the intensity of my training to another level," Gardner stated. "I haven't seen much of Olajide but I have heard he is a very good fighter. I am more concerned with what I need to do in a fight and less worried about what my opponent may try to do. I hope he is ready for the best of Ian Gardner."
