Gilroy
– Kelsey Jeffries is set for her second title defense in three
months. The July 2 fight at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in
Temecula will be broadcast on Fox Sports Network
Gilroy – Kelsey Jeffries is set for her second title defense in three months. The July 2 fight at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula will be broadcast on Fox Sports Network
In her sixth defense of the World Featherweight title, Jeffries (37-9-1) will go against Donna Biggers (18-4-1) in a 10-round bout for the 126-pound title.
Bruce Anderson, Jeffries manager, said Jeffries has been working her tail off in Vero Beach, Fla. with trainer Buddy McGirt doing some intense workouts.
Jeffries did 12 to 15 rounds everyday with McGirt while in Fla. working on specific things that varied from day to day.
“The workout was very intense, very tough, particularly in the Florida heat” Anderson said. “There is no air conditioning in that gym, I’ll tell you that.”
Jeffries returned to the South Valley last week and will continue to train leading up to the world title event.
Two things that Jeffries believes will be critical in the fight is her straight right-hand and her movement around Biggers.
“I’ve been working hard on it (the right-hand),” Jeffries said. “It’ starting to come around good now, it’s getting faster.”
Jeffries plans to use her right hand to set up an already good left hook, or switching things up by using the left hook to set up the right hand.
Stepping around Biggers is also something Jeffries has been working on. After throwing her punches, she wants to make sure she is not in the line of fire.
Instead of moving backwards, getting in the range of the opponent that is moving forward, Jeffries wants to step around her opponent and continue to fire.
One thing Jeffries doesn’t want to do is give her opponent an advantage.
“I want to get shots off and get the hell out of there,” Jeffries said laughing. “I’ll take on anybody. I don’t care where they’re from, who they are, anybody, that’s my (motto).”
Jeffries often has to fight bigger girls who come down in weight to fight her. They’ll make weight for weigh-ins then put it back on before the fight, Anderson said.
“She needs to get credit for that because girls her own size don’t want to her,” Anderson said.
Still, Anderson believes Jeffries puts on an impressive show.
“It’s amazing,” Anderson said. “She takes them to school, but it’s tough.”
Jeffries admits it’s tough against tall players because TKOs are almost an impossibility, but says it has made her a better boxer because she has to be smart and outbox her opponents.
“I pretty much guarantee there will be a time or two when I stand my ground and go toe-to-toe, mano-e-mano female style, you know,” Jeffries said. “You like to see who is the better woman every once in a while.”
Jeffries goal is to stay within the game plan and do what she wants to do in the ring.
When asked about predictions, Jeffries said, “I predict a good fight. I’m going to give everything I got. Unless I’m on a stretcher I’m going to be winning the fight.”
