On the cusp of an international title fight
Contact Staff
Less than three years into his professional career, Shakeel Phinn, who holds the Canadian Super Middleweight belt, has positioned himself for a crack at an international title by signing a three year contract with local boxing promoters Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM).
The contract, which guarantees the 26-year-old Montrealer at least four bouts a year, including a crack at the North American Boxing Federation title sometime early in 2018, comes with with guaranteed extensions if he fights and wins a world title.
Phinn, who holds a 16-1 record, including the Canadian title, which he won in February 2015, says he is excited to be partnered with GYM.
“It opens a lot of doors for me to go forward with bigger fights, more television exposure and hopefully more money down the road.”
Since turning pro in January 2015, with a well-earned victory over a highly rated prospect, Eddie Gates, the former South Shore resident has carved a glorious path to the top with a series of spectacular performances.
One of the highlights so far is the Canadian title bout against Paul Bzdel in Saskatchewan, with a unanimous 10-round decision.
That was follow by an over-powering victory in Toronto over Mexican Guillermo
Herrera Campos who had to be hospitalized after the fight.
Phinn, who goes by the nickname The Jamaican Juggernaut continued to stack up victims of his devastating power throughout 2016 and this year with victories over Mexican Jaudiel Zepeda, Frenchman Medhi Madani (13-7-1), Victor Manuel Palacios (13-13-2) and Jose Aguilar (12-1-3) both from Mexico.
Phinn, who is trained by Ian MacKillop, ranks his last outing this past September 18, against Mario Aguilar, as his most impressive so far in his short career.
“He was a highly ranked fighter who was on his way to the top and many people were expecting a lot out of him.”
Phinn knocked Aguilar out in the fourth round.