Canelo vs Rocky: Tevin Farmer aiming to steal the show, become a household name

IBF super featherweight titleholder Tevin Farmer is set to return on tonight’s Canelo-Rocky card at Madison Square Garden, and the 28-year-old Philadelphia native says his goal is to steal the show and become, over time, a household name in boxing.

“I’m looking to steal the show. I know I’m a top fighter. Skill for skill, I’m top five pound for pound, one of the best fighters in the world. Let’s take credentials out of it. Skill for skill, I am one of the best five pound-for-pound fighters in the world and I believe real boxing fans and writers would agree with me. ... I‘m gonna make myself a household name to where people say, ‘I want to fight Tevin. He’s a big name.’ I think that’s where I’m headed.”

I’m sure Farmer’s claim that he’s top five pound-for-pound will be met with many raised eyebrows, but while I personally wouldn’t have him in that class right now, I do like his confidence. I’d rather a fighter believe they’re the best than not.

Farmer (27-4-1, 6 KO) won the IBF title in Australia on Aug. 3, knocking off and retiring veteran Billy Dib, and defended on Oct. 6 in Boston, stopping James Tennyson in the fifth round. He told us before that fight that he’d be stopping Tennyson — that was also met with raised eyebrows, since Farmer’s not known as a puncher, but then there he went out and did it. He’s already told us that he plans to finish Francisco Fonseca (22-1-1, 16 KO) even quicker. We’ll see.