Monaghan Wants To Beat Muriqi at Barclays And Then Pascal Could Be Next

The stakes are pretty immense for Seanie Monaghan, who gloves up on June 14 at Barclays Center, on the card topped by a Ruslan Provodnikov-Chris Algieri fight, taking on vet Elvir Muriqi.

If he wins, the 21-0 (14 KOs) Long Islander is hoping to get a crack at one of the uppermost stars in his light heavyweight class, Montrealer Jean Pascal. But of course, the 29-year-old blue collar brawler tells me he isn’t looking past the perhaps faded but still competent Kosovarian, who boasts a 40-6 record (with 24 KOs).

“I guess Muriqi is a step up,” the 32-year-old hitter, who lives in Long Beach, and is promoted by Top Rank, tells me. “But I’m going to treat him just like I do all of my opponents, train like I’m fighting for a world title, and then tear him up.”

LOL, that sort of talk had me getting pumped up while I typed this up in my home office, my sofa. Monaghan said he’s heard chatter that Muriqi has lost a couple miles off his fastball, no big surprise, I guess, for the average 35-year-old.

“But I’m expecting him to bring his best and go out with a bang. If I don’t look impressive against him, I can forget any big money fights in Canada, or Germany. So I got to destroy this guy.”

Monaghan said the Pascal people contacted Top Rank about a September squareoff between Pascal and the Long Islander. “It’s a very strong possibility,” he said. “We’re also talking to Juergen Brahmer, but Top Rank doesn’t trust going to Germany, and he won’t fight anywhere else.” Braehmer holds the WBA 175 belt; the 35-2 german, aged 35, meets Roberto Bolonti (35-2) on June 7. Bolonti, on surface, has no business getting a title shot, but anyway…

“I like the matchup with Pascal; he fights in spurts, and tries to bully guys,” Monaghan continued. “I’m a big, strong light heavy and I’m always in shape, I’d beat him! Anyway, the crowd at Barclays on June 14 is going to enjoy the fight with Muriqi. I’m coming right at him…and he’s got Roy Jones training him.”

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV