‘A lot of eyeballs’: Canada’s Watpool and Bahdi aim to capitalize on viewership in Paul vs. Tyson spectacle

Canadian middleweight Melinda Watpool has landed a spot on the undercard of the highly anticipated showdown between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, set to stream on Netflix on November 15th. Watpool, who hails from Pefferlaw, Ont., had initially turned down offers to face Most Valuable Promotions’ prospect Shadasia Green twice before finally accepting the opportunity. With an undefeated record of 7-0 with two knockouts, Watpool saw this as the perfect chance to showcase her skills on a world stage.

Watpool, who also co-owns Pefferlaw Hardware, has been steadily climbing the ranks in the boxing world, taking on increasingly challenging opponents to prepare for this moment. With the support of her trainer Dewith Frazer in Mississauga, Watpool has been honing her skills and preparing for the biggest fight of her career. Her recent victory against former champion Natasha Spence demonstrated that she is ready to face top-tier contenders like Green for the WBO super-middleweight title.

Joining Watpool on the undercard is fellow Canadian Lucas Bahdi, who secured his spot in Arlington by knocking out Ashton Sylve, MVP’s rising lightweight contender, on a Jake Paul undercard in July. The victory earned Bahdi a contract with Paul’s company and a chance to face undefeated Italian Armando Casamonica. With a record of 17-0 with 15 knockouts, Bahdi is ready to make a name for himself on the world stage.

Together, Watpool and Bahdi bring a heavy dose of Canadian content to a fight card that is expected to draw millions of viewers. With the resurgence of pro boxing in southern Ontario, both athletes have been able to showcase their skills and build a strong fan base. Watpool’s journey from Pefferlaw to Arlington and Bahdi’s rise from self-promoted fighter to MVP signee highlight the growing talent and opportunities in Canadian boxing.

As Watpool and Bahdi prepare to step into the ring in front of a record-breaking audience, they carry the hopes of their hometown fans with them. Watpool expects a strong contingent from Pefferlaw to be in attendance for the fight, showing their support for their local hero. Meanwhile, Bahdi is focused on proving himself in the lightweight division and making a statement against Casamonica.

While the main event featuring Tyson and Paul may draw the most attention, the undercard bouts promise to deliver top-tier pro boxing action. With matchups like Welterweights Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos vying for the WBC title and a highly anticipated rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, the undercard is stacked with talent and potential.

For Watpool and Bahdi, a win on November 15th could open up new opportunities and propel them to even greater heights in the boxing world. Watpool eyes a potential showdown with Claressa Shields, while Bahdi aims to establish himself as a major player in the lightweight division. With the eyes of the world on them, both fighters are ready to seize the moment and showcase their skills on one of the biggest stages in boxing history.