Rising middleweight prospect Jahi Tucker has set his sights on an ambitious goal: securing a world title shot against unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. Before that can happen, however, the 22-year-old from Deer Park, New York, knows he must deliver a statement performance this Saturday when he faces Troy Williamson in a 10-round bout at the Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Tucker is unfazed by fighting in multiple weight divisions, having begun his career at welterweight before moving up to 160 pounds, and believes the challenging path he has taken will pay off. Despite suffering a majority-decision defeat to Nicklaus Flaz and fighting to a majority draw with Francisco Daniel Vernon, Tucker regrouped at middleweight, winning three straight and learning valuable lessons along the way.
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The timing of Tucker’s next test coincides with Alimkhanuly’s title defense in Kazakhstan on the same day. Tucker sees a clear chance to grab attention for himself in a crowded division. “Once I take care of business on Saturday, that fight is very realistic,” he told BoxingScene, referring to a future date with Alimkhanuly. “It could be sooner than we all expect. If I get that phone call, I will hop on that plane… and I will walk out a world champion.”
Williamson enters on a two-fight skid but still poses a threat, having faced contenders like Ishmael Davis and Josh Kelly in recent outings. Tucker insists he isn’t looking past the challenge, though he remains vocal about his plans for bigger opportunities. “This is me announcing that I’m a contender in the middleweight division and I’m here to stay,” Tucker said. “It is my first 10-round fight and I’m going to show I am the real deal.”
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