Brian “Yard Dog” Samuel has never been known to back down from a challenge.
His next fight in Edmonton on Saturday might be the most critical test for the Red Deer boxer in his young professional career.
Samuel, who is coming off a pair of losses, returned to his training roots in Red Deer after losing his last fight in a technical knockout to Flavio Michael in December.
Samuel, 29, said he was physically drained by the time the bout rolled around. He trained for that fight mostly in Calgary.
“Last fight was not my best performance and I made the proper adjustments. Rerouted back to Red Deer and I am back figuring myself out,” Samuel said.
“There was stuff I learned. I overdid it for the last fight. Already mentally beat by the time I got in there. Just more focused, (this time).”
Samuel will face opponent Raffaele Santoro, who is relatively new on the professional welterweight scene, but Samuel is not taking the fight lightly.
“He looks defensive because he fights guys that can’t hit him, but I’m pretty sure I can hit him. Pretty sure I can hit him a lot,” Samuel said.
“He’s flashy, not that much experience. Only had a couple of amateur and pro fights. I ain’t underestimating him. The kid looks like he can crack.”
It’s been a hard road for the Red Deer native since early last year when he had expectations of fighting for the Canadian Welterweight Title.
At the time he had a 3-1 record and was 10th in the Canadian Professional Boxing Council rankings.
Since then, he’s lost twice to Flavio but had wins against Danny Quinn and Curtis Demarce. A split decision loss to Jesse Arnett on June 24 hurt his chances of moving up the ranks.
“One fight at a time. I thought I was going to have that Canadian Title shot after that Arnett fight,” Samuel said.
“Pretty clear who won that one, (but) they gave it to him. Nobody else would take that fight. I take the ones that no one else will take. I’ve got my pride and that’s all that matters.”
As for expectations on Saturday, it’s pretty simple for Samuel.
“If I dodge this guy’s jab, I think I can have my way with him all night,” he said.
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he’ll have no such complaint on Saturday in Edmonton.