Frederick Lawson Ready To Embark On Title Run
Mar 25, 2015 • 10:33 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Even if Frederick Lawson doesn't wind up fighting for a major title by the end of 2015, his handlers are going to make damn sure he's ready for whenever such an opportunity comes his way.
The unbeaten welterweight will appear on ESPN2 for his second straight fight, as he faces veteran spoiler Breidis Prescott this Thursday in Hialeah, Florida. The bout is a special edition of ESPN2's
Friday Night Fights
series, which—similarly to his last fight—takes place on a night other than Friday.
The mid-week edition marks Lawson's first fight of 2015, coming nearly six months after an impressive 10-round points win over Ray Narh last October. The bout served in chief support to Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam's well-earned decision win over Curtis Stevens in their middleweight title eliminator.
“It meant a lot for me to win that fight. I've known Ray for a long time, so it was an honor to face him in the ring, and to do so on national television,” notes Lawson (23-0, 20KOs), who recently relocated from Ghana to the United States. “I was happy with my performance and am excited to return to ESPN2.”
Lawson fights stateside for the third straight time, and plans to remain in the public eye for the foreseeable future as he transitions from prospect to welterweight contender in the sport's most lucrative division.
With nary a soft touch anywhere you look once you crack the Top 10, Lawson and his handlers are well aware of what it will take to command the national spotlight, especially as a welterweigt. That thought process went a long way in securing the services of Prescott (27-6, 20KOs), a hard-working trialhorse and proper litmus test for any rising contender.
“We know this is a dangerous fight, Prescott is much more experienced but Fredrick is ready for this challenge,” said Michael King, Lawson's promoter. “That’s one of my strongest beliefs, have your fighter prepared to win not just prepared to fight.”
Lawson figures to be as game-ready as any, given his supporting staff. Manning his corner is well-respected trainer Abel Sanchez, best known these days for his work with unbeaten middleweight knockout artist Gennady Golovkin.
“
I think Breidis Prescott is a seasoned guy who's going to give Freddie some new looks that maybe Freddie hasn't seen,” Sanchez observes. “This is probably the first major test in Freddie's career—Prescott has some very good experience against some top-level guys. Freddie's going to have to go in against a guy who's on a world-class level.”
There figures to be more of the same for every fight from here on out until he's able to crash the title picture. Whenever that day comes, Lawson is confident he will be ready.
“I hope within the next year or two I am fighting for a world title
,” believes Lawson, who recently celebrated four years in the pro ranks. “I plan to keep winning, keep working hard and I know I will be ready when my opportunity comes.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
