Exclusive Interview: Melinda Watpool Eyes WBO Title Glory on Tyson-Paul Undercard
Melinda Watpool (7-0, 2 KOs) has the opportunity to become a world champion on one of the biggest stages one could conceive of.
The Canadian challenges American Shadasia Green (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBO super middleweight world title. Their fight takes place on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Boxing fans around the world can watch the card live on Netflix. However, the bout between Watpool and Green will be broadcast on the Netflix Sports and Most Valuable Promotions’ YouTube channels in addition to two other fights.
Big Fight Weekend got to hear from Watpool in the days leading up to her world title clash. Below is more on her and what she had to say.
Melinda Watpool Exclusive: Canadian Speaks Ahead of Tyson-Paul Undercard Appearance
Introducing ‘The Whip’
Watpool calls Pefferlaw home. It is a community in Ontario, Canada, home to roughly 3,000 people. Boxing is a sport that has always interested Watpool.
“I started at a rec gym that my soccer coach recommended,” she said. “I’d always liked boxing. The Rocky movies, documentaries, that kind of thing.”
“The Whip,” as she is nicknamed, won a host of accolades in the amateur code. Watpool turned professional in 2022. When asked what inspired the move, she says: “Going to see Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 1, without a doubt.”
Coincidentally, Taylor and Serrano are having their rematch on the very same card that sees Watpool go for super middleweight gold.
The Journey to Texas
Though she is fighting in vastly different circumstances than she is accustomed to, the Canadian is still going about training as she always has, with some changes.
“I don’t think training for Green has been specifically different,” said Watpool. “I’ve added a strength and conditioning coach this year, and we’ve improved sparring partners.”
While her training may not differ much from what she has done previously, the buildup to her fight against Green has been quite the opposite.
“There’s been a lot more press coverage, more visibility. Travelling to Texas is different than being at home in Pefferlaw! Having my team with me [for the event] all week is great.”
Green is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the very company putting on Tyson vs. Paul. This will be her second attempt at a world title following a unanimous decision loss to Franchón Crews-Dezurn in December last year. Green’s promoter recognizes the threat Watpool poses.
“Less than a year after her first title shot, MVP’s own Shadasia Green has fought her way back and is ready to claim the WBO world championship,” said MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian in a press release in October. “But first she has to get through Melinda Watpool, who has her eyes on the prize.”
A prize “The Whip” is intent on bringing back to Pefferlaw.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
