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After almost 5 years away, Justin “The Iron Man” Verdin is getting back into the boxing ring.
Verdin is competing in Houma Fall Brawls on Nov. 1 — a local boxing show put on by In Ya Face Fight Productions. The show will take place at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Verdin, 36, is 12-3 in his boxing career with 7 knockouts.
He last competed on Jan. 17, 2015, scoring a victory over Dennis Williams.
Verdin said the decision to get back into the ring was to scratch a long-time itch, adding that he’s been wanting to get back into competition for a while.
“I decided to fight again for a few reasons,” Verdin said. “For one, to get back healthy. I had gotten up to 235 pounds. That’s insane. I used to walk around at 185 pounds. For two, I teach competition boxing an cardio boxing to many students that never had a chance to see me fight. And for three, for years, my nephew and little girl would always ask me when I’m fighting again and wanted me to fight, so I’m doing it for all of them.”
Verdin said the desire to come back has always been there, but the process of actually getting ready to fight has been tough.
Verdin said he started his training a few weeks ago, and things have been going about as good as one can expect.
But Verdin is older now than when he used to do this a decade ago, so he has so much more going on that sometimes takes up his idle time.
“Trying to promote this fight, coach boxing and coaching high school football all make it hard,” Verdin said. “But I need to get my training in between all of that. I’m no where near in fight shape, but my team is there trying to push me as much as they can, and I’m ready to put on a show.”
Verdin’s opponent will be Marvin Babe — a hard-handed puncher from Oklahoma.
He fought in Houma in August at a MMA show against Ricky Folse — a fight that ended in disqualification.
Verdin said Babe is going to come to Houma wanting nothing more than to spoil his comeback fight.
“Babe was begging for the fight,” Verdin said. “It’s going to be fun. He will make it a fight. He throws a lot of punches.”
But while Verdin’s comeback dominates a lot of the promotion for the fight, the promoter/fighter said local fight fans will be entertained throughout the rest of the show.
The card will feature two main events. In one main event, undefeated boxers will collide when 3-0 Shawn Verdin locks up with 1-0 Jordan Plaisance.
Both men are local. Both are heavy-handed, and both are expected to bring a crowd.
In the other main event, arguably the top local fighter right now, Jonathan Guidry, will compete.
Guidry is a bruising heavyweight who has an unblemished 15-0-2 record.
Also on the card will be a bout between Antonio Mignella and Blake LaCasta. Local product Rance Ward will also be in action against Michael McDonald.
“The rest of the card is more exciting (than my fight), I would say,” Verdin said. “It’s some young up and coming professional boxers.”
To order tickets for the show, visit www.inyaface.us or call (985) 873-5722.
