World-ranked contender Melinda Watpool stares down toughest test yet in Araujo
Melinda Watpool (IBF #2, WBA #3, 5-0, 2 KO) faces Brazilian Olympian Adriana Araujo (6-1, 1 KO) in the Main Event on Saturday night at Pickering Casino Resort, atop a United Boxing Promotions fight card. First bell is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Carlos Verde (United Promotions, CV): Melinda, you’ve had a nice long training camp in the lead-up to this Araujo fight on Saturday. What’s it been like, and what are you expecting?
Melinda Watpool (MW): It’s gone really well, my team and I have worked hard and done some sparring with new partners which has helped. Some training in Montreal, as well, which will help me in the ring against this girl.
We’ve watched quite a few of her previous fights, trying to see her tendencies and plan what we can do.
She has the one loss against (Chantelle) Cameron, so we focused on what she did in that fight.
HIGHLIGHTS: WATPOOL VS. SPENCE (Dec. 2, 2023)
FIGHT PREVIEW: WATPOOL VS. ARAUJO, BUNTSMA VS. VIDALES
CV: Araujo is definitely the most decorated opponent you’ve faced thus far as a professional: Olympian, former World Title Challenger. What do you know about her?
MW: Well she hasn’t been ranked in a while, so I hope that she still brings it when the bell rings and the time comes. She has some good, 10-round experience, but I still think that my training and the competition I’ve had, I have the upper hand going into the fight.
CV: Headlining in Pickering on what promises to be quite an evening. What does the Main Event slot mean for you?
MW: It’s definitely created a lot of excitement in Pefferlaw! Lots of people are coming out, and that just drives me forward and motivates me.
It’ll be interesting to be at the end of the show, with a big lead-up — I’ve typically been at the beginning or in the middle of cards, so it’ll be a good experience for myself to be in that position at the end of the night.
I’m excited, everything is in place (and) I’m in good shape!
