American Stephon Young has promised to take his chance with both hands after he replaced Zolani Tete in the semi-finals of the bantamweight World Boxing Super Series.
Tete had been due to face Nonito Donaire this weekend in Lafayette after he came through his first bout in October against Mikhail Aloyan.
However, the South African suffered a right shoulder injury and has now been replaced just days before the semi-finals.
Donaire advanced after Ryan Burnett injured his back but Young is adamant he will prove his worth this weekend.
Young said: “I was walking in circles for ten minutes eyes full of tears of joy. I felt amazing with the news. It’s a real dream come true to be in this position.
“It doesn’t matter who I fight. I’m coming in to win vs anyone I step in there with. My mindset is strong.
I have the utmost respect for Nonito. He is a great fighter and from what I see he’s a classy fighter outside the ring as well.
“I feel I will handle the big stage quite well and I rate my chances very, very good.”
The southpaw was already set to fight on the card and will take on Donaire with an 18-1-3 record. He lost last year to Reymar Gaballo in Hollywood but has never been stopped since turning pro in 2011.
The winner of Saturday’s fight will face either Naoya Inoue or Emmanuel Rodriguez in the final and they meet in Glasgow on May 18.
Inoue is the heavy favourite to go all the way after winning 15 of his 17 fights inside the distance.
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