Guns and Rose’s Babies – The World Champions looking to ruin St Patrick’s Weekend
Tevin Farmer and Rose Volante are the two fighters that will be looking to make sure St Patrick’s Weekend gets off to a losing start for the Irish.
The world champions both go up against Irish opposition tonight in Philadelphia, with Farmer defending his IBF super feather belt against Jono Carroll while WBO lightweight champ Volante looks to unify with WBA-IBF titlist Katie Taylor.
While they come from differing backgrounds, the fiery pair are looking forward to tough fights at the Liacouras Center, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
A massive favourite, Philly native Farmer [28(6)-4(2)-1] has been involved in a explosive build-up, clashing with Carroll numerous times.
While there is no love lost, and that is an understatement, ‘The American Idol’ hopes and expects a hard fight.
Farmer claims he is tired of easy defences and, in his third, wants ‘King Kong’ to ‘bring it’. Keeping very active, the 28-year-old claims his two previous challengers didn’t provide a test.
After he defeated Billy Dib to take the strap, Farmer stopped Belfast fighter and a man has referred to as Carroll’s ‘cousin’ in the build up, James Tennyson, before going on to outpoint Francisco Fonseca.
The Lou DiBella-backed slickster noted how “Jono will be ready, I know that. But I work hard and he knows these things too. I am tired of rolling over these guys easy so I hope he brings it.”
“I am coming to get it popping. This is my third defense in five months. We prepared very well, as always.”
Farmer has no doubt been riled by Carroll and has claimed that he will insist that the Irishman shaves his notable beard.
READ: Beardgate – Farmer calls for Carroll to cut
The champ declared that “I’m going to hurt him. Nobody has ever seen this [side of me] because nobody has ever brought it out of me.”
These assertions came following a heated weigh-in where the American was all gun signs and shouting.
Volante was a lot more reserved at the weigh-in but still had her say.
Adopting a classical fighting pose, the Brazilian’s fist was inches from Taylor’s chin and the pair would exchange words.
The Bray fighter would inform Gavan Casey of the42.ie afterwards that the Portugese-speaking puncher told her “I’m here, I’m here”, probably in response to accusations that she was avoiding the clash following an initial December meeting fell through.
The big-puncher former PanAmerican Championships silver medallist is a steely character.
While Farmer is bringing a world title belt back to Philadelphia for the first time in 16 years, it’s a case of going into the lion’s den for monumental underdog Volante.
The South American is experienced in this regard, with her most, and arguably only, notable win coming on the road when she upset Argentine Breda Carabajal to claim the vacant pink belt.
Volante explained how “it’s like when I won the title in Argentina. It was the anniversary of the city of Jujuy, the party was also for Brenda. The venue was crowded, 6,000 people, everyone shouting her name. And here will be the same.
“The capacity of the venue on Friday is 10,000 people, but it is the realisation of a dream for me fighting in the United States, with the house full and on TV.”
The 36-year-old comes to the fight with confidence and suggests she will give birth to twin boys when she fights Taylor.
The Sao Paolo fighter refers to her WBO belt as her ‘son’ and believes she will add to the family tonight
Volante outlined how “he is with me a year now, it’s my baby. He’s already in the game, but I’m going back with him and the two little brothers.”
“What we have trained for most is the strategy of the fight. She brings the speed, but it’s going to be a shock for her when she comes up against what I have, the aggressiveness and the will to fight. It’s going to be a great fight.”
