Steve Gago Set for High-Stakes Showdown in Perth
Australia’s Steve Gago will return to the ring this Saturday, looking to push closer to a coveted top-ten welterweight world ranking. The 35-year-old will face fellow Australian Blake Minto in a 10-round co-main event clash, sharing the spotlight with Alex Winwood’s title challenge for the WBA strawweight crown against champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong.
The event, set to take place at Perth’s HBF Arena on September 7th, marks the city’s biggest boxing showcase since May’s Vasily Lomachenko vs George Kambosos Jr blockbuster.
Overcoming Adversity
The last few years have been challenging for Gago, who has dealt with injuries that temporarily derailed his momentum. However, after returning with a dominant second-round knockout of China’s Zixiang Wang in May, Gago feels reinvigorated and ready for this pivotal matchup.
“I was expecting it to go further than the two rounds, but after I started landing my jab, I felt good. I felt confident. I started smiling after the first round,” Gago explained.
Despite sharing a national background, Gago and Minto have never crossed paths. From what Gago knows, though, he’s prepared for a hard-fought contest.
“He’s fought some big names; he’s had more fights than me, and he throws big, heavy, busy shots. This one’s not an easy fight—it’s a tough one. But we want to put on a good show for Perth,” Gago said.
Lessons Learned and Peaking at the Right Time
Gago’s grit and resilience were on display in 2021 when he went the distance against current IBF Super Lightweight Champion Liam Paro, despite suffering from three bulging discs. Now, he’s focusing on pacing himself and listening to his body to avoid overtraining.
“People keep telling me you’ve got to give your body a break for recovery. That’s my downfall—I just keep pushing and pushing. Now we’re working on making sure I’m good for the next training session, and the next one after that.”
With a packed stadium and a contingent of family in attendance, Gago is prepared to deliver under the bright lights in what promises to be an electric atmosphere.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking,” he admitted. “It’s going to be a big venue, a big fight, and being the co-main event has me really excited.”
A win on Saturday would not only bolster Gago’s world ranking ambitions but also mark another big moment in a historic night for Australian boxing, particularly if Winwood captures the WBA title in just his fifth professional bout.