FORMER junior Olympic gold medalist and three-time US national amateur champion Patrick Cody will use his appearance in Fiji tomorrow as preparation for his transition into professional boxing in America.
The American boxing prospect is looking to make the most of his time in Fiji when he features in an amateur bout against local fighter Aaron “Blackout” Balak at the ZEG Boxing Promotions program in Suva.
The 25-year-old southpaw, who trains at the Howard Street Boxing Club in Spokane, Washington, will face Balak in a three-round, three-minute super featherweight contest at the Vodafone Arena.
Cody, who trains under Ray Kerwick and his father, Patrick Cody Senior, will use the contest as a tune-up before turning professional in the United States.
He said he was grateful to Balak for accepting the challenge and sharing the ring with him.
“I’m mentally prepared and I’m pretty sure he’s mentally prepared too, and we’re going to give you guys one hell of a fight,” Cody said.
“Even though it’s going to be an exhibition fight, I know he is going to give it his all, I’m going to give it my all and we’re going to put on a show.”
Cody amateur pedigree having won a junior Olympic gold medal and dominance in the American armature boxing scene have attracted interest from major American boxing promotions, including Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Floyd Mayweather’s promotional outfit.
He has also trained at Mayweather’s gym back in the United States, boxing and learning first hand from boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Junior – an experience he described as inspiring and valuable.
“His ((Floyd Mayweather junior) really strict though he tell people what to do, his cool when it’s time to be cool but when it’s time to work all that cool is out the window, it’s a real inspiration how he trains” he said.
Recently Cody was the sparring partner of former two-division world champion Marlon Tapales, who held the WBA and IBF super bantamweight titles in 2023.
His appearance in Fiji provides another opportunity to sharpen his skills and gain valuable ring experience while putting Fiji’s boxing landscape on the map before embarking on his professional journey in America.
