Jin Shen during a training session at Ultra Fitness Gym, Ng'ong Road/HANDOUT Jin Shen is targeting another stoppage victory when he faces Ian Waweru in the super flyweight division at the fifth edition of the SportPesa Boxing Rising Stars on Thursday.
The four-round bout will be held at the DSTV Multichoice Studios Showgrounds in Jamhuri, Nairobi, with Shen looking to maintain his unbeaten run in the series.
The 21-year-old won his two previous Rising Stars appearances, dropping Jeremiah Nduku and Elias Njoroge in technical knockouts. “I hope for another TKO,” Shen said ahead of Thursday’s fight. The boxer has spent the past three months preparing for Waweru while focusing on areas he believes need improvement after his previous outing.
“We have worked on cardio, strength and conditioning and had a lot of sparring with elite fighters. So, yeah, we are mentally and physically prepared,” he said.
Shen has also taken time to study his opponent, although he admits his knowledge of Waweru is limited. “I’ve seen one of his videos. I think that’s his only fight. So, yeah, I’ve studied him a bit,” he said.
With Waweru standing between him and a third successive Rising Stars victory, Shen says the fight is very key as he looks to climb the rankings. “It’s important cause I want to rise in the rankings. So, yeah, it matters a lot to me,” he said.
The young boxer also expects an entertaining contest and has urged fans to tune in for the action. “I promise a good and entertaining fight. When you’re at home, be ready to watch; it will be exciting,” he said.
Shen credited SportPesa for supporting his early professional career and thanked UFS BXNG promoter Maurice Odera for taking an interest in him and mentoring him. “I would like to thank Maurice Odera of UFS Boxing. He took note of my performance, and right now he’s my mentor. So, I give him thanks, cause I would not be here without him,” Shen said. He views the SportPesa series as an important platform for emerging fighters across Africa. “It’s a really good platform to showcase young talent in Africa and particularly people dreaming of becoming professional boxers,” he said.
With a world title already in his sights within the next three years, Shen knows Thursday’s four-round contest represents another step in his development.
“I’m young, but I’m ambitious. So, maybe in the next three years I’ll have a belt,” he said.
