Kodjo ready to ruin Casey return

Daniel Kodjo is intent on making sure Willie Casey returns with a whimper rather than a Big Bang in Limerick on September 3.

Kodjo stressed a desire to prove himself has forced Casey to risk fighting a boxer of his quality in his come back fight.

The French based fighter, who claims he will win in Ireland for his new wife and unborn child, thinks the

Limerick pugilists  is still smarting after his first round WBA interim title stoppage defeat back in March, and believes an urge for fan acceptance prompted ‘Big Bang’ to opt for a respected fighter of note for his return to the ring.

And the former Patrick Hyland, Joe Murray and Scott Quigg foe claims he will prove the Gary Hyde manager took on too much too soon after his reverse to Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux.

“Losing a fight by knockout in front of your public is easy to digest. I think it was in mourning for acceptance he has choose to fight me. He is looking to impress and restore his confidence. Casey wants to show fans his lost was a once off or an accident. It has forced him to take a risk. I am a massive risk. I am not an easy fighter to fight,” Kodjo told www.irish-boxing.com before stressing he is confident ahead of the bout which tops a

NoWhere2Hyde bill.

“This fight means a lot to me I have just got married and I am expecting a baby. I want to win for my wife and unborn child. I am not at all worried and I plan to win on September 3.”

The IBF international champion is certainly a seasoned campaigner having competed in over 50 fights.

He has brought prospects Quigg, Murray and Ireland’s Punisher Hyland the distance and is deemed a tough and hard opponent.

However, Kodjo is deemed more a European level acid test than a significant treat. Whilst explaining he wanted to return at a solid level, Casey himself has claimed if he doesn’t beat the 31 year old he can forget about regaining the European super bantamweight title he vacated in March.

But the French fighter, whose pre fight camp was interrupted by his Honeymoon, is adamant his record makes for deceptive reading.

Kodjo said he is not a journey man just a regular away fighter who had to fight circumstance as well quality

opponents.

“I know Willie Casey is a good boxer and talented. I will rely on my experience in the ring to beat him. I want to stress my record is not a true representation of my quality. My defeats come down to a few different things. If you have no promoter you are forced to go fight abroad. You have get a knock out when you go abroad to get a win. Then on the reverse end since the acquisition of my IBF belt in 2009 intrenationale nobody wanted to meet me so I had to agree fights on others terms again. I am a good tough fighter and I will prove that on the night.”

Casey’s comeback opponents most recent visit to the ring also pitted him against Irish opposition.

Kodjo is one of Patrick Hyland’s 24 victims and admits Casey may have got a few pointers from the WBF featherweight champion.

He also pointed out he believes The Punisher, who has been on the verge of a European title shot for the last year, has the quality to progress to a higher level.

“He may have consulted with Patrick, forewarned is forearmed but I still expect my hand to be raised after my fight with Casey.

“I took the fight against Patrick with just ten days notice. That didn’t leave me much time to prepare. Patrick’s training was obviously similar to mine, but he is a good fighter and I think he has a bright future if he continues to fight like he did against me.”