Kevin Bizier has lost twice in 26 fights—both times by excruciatingly narrow split decisions, both times to the same guy and both times in his home province of Quebec, Canada.
As he gets ready to make his U.S. debut, Kevin Bizier says he will be eyeing a knockout against heavy-handed Fredrick Lawson, who has 20 KOs in 24 fights. (Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions)
So Kevin Bizier (24-2, 16 KOs) is hoping to take matters into his own hands—and out of the judges’— when he makes his U.S. debut Saturday against hammer-fisted Fredrick Lawson (24-0, 20 KOs). The scheduled 12-rounder highlights a Premier Boxing Champions event at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami (NBCSN, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
“I’m ready for everything,” says Bizier, 31, who by beating Lawson could land a title shot against England’s Kell Brook. “I’m coming over there to fight for 12 rounds, but I think this fight will end in a knockout. My ultimate objective is to stop Lawson.”
The 5-foot-9 Bizier says this despite knowing that he faces a disadvantage in age, height and power against the 6-foot, 26-year-old Lawson. No matter, should his younger opponent choose to go toe-to-toe, Bizier plans to fight fire with fire.
In fact, he says he's prepared to invoke the style of one of his favorite boxers: Oscar De La Hoya.
“Oscar could box and he could also fight. He was one of the best fighters in the sport,” Bizier says. “I love the Mexican fighters’ style, and I’m an offensive, pressure fighter who likes to bring it like the Mexicans do.
“This should be the perfect fight for the fans, because Lawson’s a very good boxer and a pressure fighter who can punch, no doubt about it.”
A native of Ghana now fighting out of Chicago, Lawson last competed in March, when he earned a split decision against Breidis Prescott. It was the third time in the last four fights that Lawson went the distance, but prior to that, he had stopped 15 straight opponents, including former titleholder Alfred Kotey in the third round in May 2012.
Because of that, Bizier insists he respects Lawson’s power. However, he adds that if Lawson is smart, such respect will be reciprocated.
“Lawson’s the kind of guy you have to be focused against at all times or you can pay the price,” Bizier says. “But that’s also true about my style. I like to bring the fight, and if Lawson doesn’t take care of himself defensively, he’s the one who is going to pay the price.”
Bizier’s last stoppage victory was a first-round TKO of Laszlo Fazekas in September 2014, his second straight knockout following his first loss to Jo Jo Dan in November 2013. But then after toppling Fazekas, Bizier again came up short against Dan.
Both fights were held in the same location as his other 24 pro bouts: Quebec.
Now Bizier, who rebounded from his second loss to Dan with an eight-round majority decision over Fouad El Massoudi in April, will fight outside of his homeland for the first time since turning pro seven years ago. But as his trainer, Marc Ramsay, is quick to point out, it won’t be the first time Bizier has competed outside of Canada.
“Kevin has fought around the world in amateur boxing, so even though he’s in another country, he’s got to go in and do what he knows,” Ramsay says. “I really believe Kevin can win a decision, but he wants to win it by knockout.”
For complete coverage of Bizier vs Lawson, check out our fight page.
