‘Ironman’ Bergman quietly confident

By Maddison Clarey 18 January 2016, 12:00AM

Samoa welcomed American boxer, ‘Ironman’ Jason Bergman to the country for the first time yesterday.

He has flown in to prepare for the ‘Rumble in Paradise’ fight against Lupesoliai La’auli Joseph Parker next Saturday night.

Despite talking big in Auckland, Bergman proved to be a man of few words on his arrival at the Faleolo Airport.

The 31 year old appears to be pinning his hopes on his southpaw style to give him an added advantage in the fight.

“There’s always an advantage to the leftie, particularly when we know how to use it rightly, but yeah, I’ve got a good advantage. 

“No disadvantages,” Bergman told the Samoa Observer.

However, fighting here in Samoa is likely to give Lupesolia’i a step up, with Bergman unsure about how he’s likely to fare in the Samoan heat. 

He conceded that heading into a bout in your opponent’s home is never easy, but is confident that his preparations leading up to the fight will overcome any home ground advantage Lupesoliai might have.

“He has the whole country on his side, so there’s pressure for me, but I feel good about it, I do. 

I’m well prepared and I was in camp with Deontay Wilder; world champ, so I’m well prepared,” he said.

Bergman is certain he is the toughest opponent Lupesolia’i has yet to face, and is coming in confident for the fight.

Details of the upcoming fight aside, Bergman said he is excited to be in Samoa for the first time and is looking forward to exploring this beautiful country after fight week is over.

Bergman is currently ranked 78th by the World Boxing Organisation with 25 wins and 11 losses and a 42% knock out rate.

Bergman and Lupesoliai share only one common opponent; Australian fighter Bowie Tupou.

Their fight in 2007 saw Bergman suffer a second round knockout loss to Tupou.

However in Lupesoliai’s bout against Tupou early last year, the Samoan fighter won with a knockout in the first round, which puts Lupesolia’i in greater stead for the upcoming fight.

It is however, Bergman’s southpaw style that could throw a spanner in the works for Lupesolia’i and his team.

By Maddison Clarey 18 January 2016, 12:00AM

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