The Bulldozer returns home.
Edmonton's Tanner Boser (15-5-1) steps into his hometown cage for the first time in more than two years as he puts his Unified MMA heavyweight title on the line against Medicine Hat's Jared Kilkenny (13-10) at Unified MMA 37 Friday evening in Enoch, Alta.
Boser's past seven bouts have taken him overseas under the ACB and M1 Global banners, and he's eager to get back in front of his home fans, anticipating a raucous crowd ready to cheer him on.
"It's huge that fans want to show up," Boser said. "I love getting out there and performing, and it feels great when people actually enjoy watching me fight."
"This is my home crowd. I'm sure Jared will have supporters coming up from Lethbridge, but it'll be my people. Having them behind me is going to make a real difference."
Boser, 27, has gone to a decision in nine of his last ten bouts, but he doesn't see that pattern repeating on Saturday.
Kilkenny has a history of finishing fights quickly, and Boser believes that aggressive style is exactly what will decide this one before the final bell.
"I know I've been going the distance lately, especially in my most recent outings," Boser noted. "But this is a five-round main event, and Jared is a guy who goes for the finish every single time."
"I'd be shocked if this one went to the judges' scorecards. It's going to be a wild ride for whoever's watching, and someone's definitely going down."
While battling for ACB and M1 Global, Boser has faced a significantly tougher level of opposition than Kilkenny has encountered during the same stretch.
Still, Boser acknowledges that Kilkenny brings plenty of experience to the table and has genuine respect for him for stepping up to the challenge.
"Jared's never shied away from a fight, and that's just how the entire Lethbridge crew operates," Boser explained.
"I have enormous respect for the CMC fighters. They take on anybody, anytime, and my camp runs the same way. I've tested myself against elite competition, but Jared has also shared the cage with some very talented opponents over the years."
Kilkenny Relishing the Challenge
Kilkenny, 37, was initially booked for a rematch against Christian Larsen on this card before the Boser bout came together.
Kilkenny has wanted this matchup with Boser for years, and he says fighting Boser carries less pressure than facing Larsen would have.
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