Stephon Young: ‘Team Gaballo Not Thinking Enough About What’s Going to Happen to Him’

Perennial 118-lb contender Stephon “Showstopper” Young is finishing up his 13-week training camp in Miami while wondering if his opponent knows what he’s truly in for next week.

On Friday, March 23, in the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., WBA #4-rated Young (17-0-3, 7 KOs) from St. Louis will face WBA #5 Reymart “GenSan Assassin” Gaballo (18-0, 16 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines, in a 12-round battle for the WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship.

Young vs. Gaballo headlines promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory’s “Rumble at the Rock,” an 11-bout night of world-class professional boxing. In the 10-round co-main, former WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion Juan Carlos Payano (19-1, 9 KOs) takes on “Magic” Mike Plania (14-0, 7 KOs) from General Santos City, Philippines.

29-year-old southpaw Young says that while Gaballo obviously has some strength to have such a high KO percentage, he is too green to be in the ring with a fighter at his level and experience.

“To be honest, I take nothing from him, but they should have stepped him up with a different opponent first and not thrown him in with a guy like me,” said Young. “I feel he’s not ready yet and that will show next Friday. He should have had two or three more fights, but I feel like just because it’s for a title, they are rushing toward it. It’s a good opportunity for him, but they’re not thinking enough about what’s going to happen to him. I will be bringing everything I’ve got that night.”

Young, who still lives in St. Louis but travels to Miami for camp, says coming up the hard way in boxing and then meeting up with his current team will make all the difference next Friday.

“When I turned pro, I didn’t get signed right off the bat with a big-time promoter,” he said. “I went and fought in people’s backyards and proved myself. I was given nothing, but I knew my time would come. I stayed focused and continued to train. I’ve been with my coach, Herman Caicedo, now for two years and I’m a totally different fighter. I want to thank my team, my promoter Kris Lawrence and The Heavyweight Factory for giving me this opportunity, my manager Henry Rivalta for always believing in me and my coach Herman Caicedo for getting me in the best shape I’ve ever been.”

For Young, lifting the belt over his head next Friday will be a dream come true.

“Winning this fight means everything. It’s a big accomplishment and nothing can keep me from my dreams. On March 23, I will be champion.”

“Rumble at the Rock” is proudly sponsored by Armero Tequila. Special guests expected that evening include former heavyweight champions Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. On fight night, Hard Rock Event Center will open its doors at 6 p.m. with the first bout starting at 7 p.m. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood, Florida.

Hard Rock Event Center is the newly constructed 3,500-seat venue located in the northwest corner of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood. As part of the $1.5 billion property expansion, the former Hard Rock Live arena will be razed and replaced with a state-of-the-art 6,500-plus-seat venue in a theater-style configuration, slated to open in 2019.

In the interim, a full schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other events will take place in the Hard Rock Event Center. Seminole Hard Rock has hosted some of the hottest musical acts such as John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, George Lopez and the late Robin Williams; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.myhrl.com.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club Bar & Grill, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena.

The casino offers 120 table games, 2,000 of the newest and most popular slots and a 37-table poker room. Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine.

In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 180 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.