The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Meacher 'Pain' Major is all set to step back into the ring this weekend with the North American Boxing Association's super featherweight title on the line.

He is scheduled to face current champion Logan McGuinness in the 12-round main event at the Hershey Centre in Ontario, Canada, on May 12.

"Only me can stop me from capturing that title. It's either now or never," said Major in an interview with The Tribune from Buffalo, New York, during his training period.

"Canada will see a fight like they last saw when Sugar Ray Leonard was there. This is my time to shine. I would have to give all honour and praise to God for this great opportunity. I feel tremendously great at this point to get yet another shot to improve my ratings on the world stage, it takes me closer to that final goal of fighting for a world title."

Major (20-4-1, 17 KOs) is a former WBA Fedecaribe and Bahamian lightweight champion. Now living in Buffalo, he is riding a four-fight win streak into his showdown with McGuinness.

McGuinness (16-0-1, 8 KOs), fighting out of nearby Orangeville, is coming off of his sensational come-from-behind NABA title victory against Benoit Gaudet last October.

McGuinness overcame a severe cut and trailed substantially in scoring but the 2012 NABA Fighter of the Year rallied and registered the knockout he needed in order to win the fight. The wildly popular 24-year-old McGuinness is rated No. 8 by the World Boxing Association.

Major said he's eager to get in the ring against McGuinness, especially considering the fact that he's in the best shape of his life.

Major is currently being trained by Ross Thompson, whom he feels knows what he's doing and understands his passion and dedication to improve his work ethic every day at the gym.

"I have to give credit to Ray Minus for the boxing style that he has taught me," Major said. "It gives me the edge over fighters during sparring in my prep for a big upcoming fight like this."

Citing his experience and training, Major is confident that he will put on a great show in Canada. "My expectation for this fight is one thing to win. I know I'm going into his homeland as the underdog. I have to take him out rather than put my faith in the judges' hands after 12 rounds of boxing," Major said. "We are aware of his style of fighting so we are going into Canada to win and get that title."