By Jake Donovan
Nikolay Potapov won every round of his U.S. debut – a 10-round shutout of Pedro Melo last October in Brooklyn, New York - yet still felt there was plenty of room for improvement.
Fast forward six months later to present day and the Russian bantamweight prospect has left nothing to chance ahead of his showdown with fellow unbeaten Stephon Young. The two collide this Friday at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, with Showtime to televise atop a ShoBox tripleheader.
The bout marks Potapov’s first live appearance on an American television outlet, which has prompted a drastic change in training tactics.
"My sparring partners are amateur and professional champions. My preparation has been different for this fight,” Potapov (14-0, 6KOs) told BoxingScene.com. “I did a lot more sparring for this fight, my tactic is to be more aggressive. This is my first big fight on U.S. television and I want to make a statement.
"I am a technical boxer, aggressive, and due to my pro and amateur experience and specific preparations for this fight, I feel I will be able to adjust.”
Among the training methods implemented in this camp – which was largely spent in Moscow – including his training outdoors in the snow and frigid temperatures, while dressed as if he were in a prizefight – bare-chested, with nothing but trunks and normal ring footwear.
Even more bizarre than the tactic itself is the fact that Potapov will precede the session with an extensive session in a 180° temperature steam-room prior to literally rolling in the snow.
“Potapov feels the procedure strengthens muscles as well as the nervous system and the immune system,” Dmitriy Salita – the former super lightweight contender whose Salita Promotions makes its ShoBox debut – informed BoxingScene.com
The 25-year old boxer – who had more than 150 wins in a stellar amateur career - is dealt his craftiest opponent to date in Young (14-0-2,6KOs), who is left-handed, awkward and surrounded by championship talent. The southpaw from St. Louis literally lives in the gym, as he trains and rests his head at the Miami training facilities of top-shelf cornerman Herman Caicedo, with his career guided by Henry Rivalta.
Included among those who regularly train with Young and helped him prepare for this fight are:
Jessy Cruz, Yenifel Vicente, Aujee Tyler, featherweight contender Claudio Marrero and reigning bantamweight titlist Juan Carlos Payano.
"My opponent is awkward because he is a southpaw. He also has fast hands and is a good boxer. He is also undefeated, so I know he will be ready and motivated," acknowledges Potapov, who also hopes that with a win on Friday will also come a more active schedule to supplement the upgraded exposure.
“I know that I will stay busy and that Dmitriy will get me the meaningful fights I need at this point in my career. I feel ready to perform and – with a win – go on to one day fight for the world title.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
