Knockout expected as Stevenson defends light heavyweight title

QUEBEC – Adonis Stevenson and Thomas Williams Jr. agree on one thing: their championship fight won’t go the 12-round distance.

Where they disagree is on who will be the one who ends up on the canvas.

Stevenson (27-1, 22 knockouts), of Montreal, will make the seventh defence of his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title against Williams (20-1, 14 KOs) on Friday night at the Videotron Centre in a match-up of two heavy hitters.

“I’ll be going for the knockout too,” said Stevenson, who returns to the ring for the first time in 11 months. “I’m ready.”

The 38-year-old Stevenson has been criticized for avoiding tough opponents, but while Williams is not well-known and is ranked eighth by the WBC, he is considered an dangerous knock-out puncher.

“He makes us nervous,” said Stevenson’s promoter Yvon Michel. “He is a clear and present danger.

“Adonis cannot take anything for granted.”

The co-feature has light heavyweight Eleider Alvarez (19-0) of Montreal against Robert Berridge (27-4-1). Alvarez was to have faced former world champion Chad Dawson, but he pulled out last week with an injury.

Heavyweight Oscar Rivas (19-0) of Montreal faces Jeremiah Karpency (12-0-1).