By Francisco Salazar

Mason Menard's explosive one-punch knockout win over Eudy Bernardo was an accident.

Fortunately, that 'accident' has paid dividends for the fighter known as 'Rock Hard Mighty.'

As much publicity as he has received from that knockout win, Menard is not holding out hope it will happen again.

Menard will face Bahodir Mamadjonov tonight at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. The 10 round bout will be part of a four-bout 'SboBox' card that will air on Showtime, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Menard (31-1, 21 knockouts) scored one of the most devastating knockouts of 2016 in his last bout on Apr. 15, dropping Eudy Bernardo with an overhand right to the head.

The knockout win topped the list of Showtime analyst Steve Farhood's 10 favorite one-punch knockouts from the 'ShoBox' series.

Menard admits that the knockout victory has brought him a lot of attention, something that was nonexistent prior to Apr. 15.

"I've been approached over at least a thousand times easily about that knockout," Menard told krikya360.com over the phone Wednesday evening. "I get approached by random people or those I know who I haven't seen in a while. It happened very often the first month after the knockout."

"That (knockout) was not planned. It's not like I went into the fight to that. It was more accidental. It was a reaction punch. I'm grateful it landed and it did the job."

Prior to the Bernardo fight, very few boxing fans outside of Louisiana, where he resides, had heard of Menard. Tonight will make only the third time Menard has fought outside the 'Pelican State.'

Menard may have over 30 fights, but some wonder whether he is still a prospect or a contender. With his record, how has he been able to stay under the radar?

"This is what my manager planned out," said Menard, who made his pro debut five days after his 19th birthday. "I believe this is God's time. The goals that we had are eventually being carried out. We want those world title bouts and television fights. We want the upper echelon of opponents. I've gone though high C-level fighters. Now we want bigger challenges."

Menard, who is 27, will get that challenge tonight against Mamadjonov, a crafty southpaw who has wins over Angelo Santana and DeMarcus Corley.

"I don't know much about him. I've seen only one fight of his. My cornermen watch videos of him and create a game-plan. We hope to expose him with speed and make necessary adjustments to his style."

"He (Mamadjonov) is a better opponent. He's a B-level fighter. I have to get through him to get to the A-level opposition. That's what we want and we have to beat Mamadjonov to get to those top fighters."

As if Menard's knockout was not unique enough, his nickname has brought about attention. He goes by 'Rock Hard Mighty.'

"I first grew up with 'Mighty Mae.' Then (manager) Chad Broussard felt that 'Mighty' was solid. The ring announcer in my third pro fight suggested 'Rock Hard Mighty.' It's stuck ever since."

Menard could get a world title shot if he keeps winning. He is ranked amongst the top 15 by the WBA and WBO.

A win over Mamadjonov and eventually higher-level opposition could bring that dream of fighting for a world title bout come true.

"On my best day, I believe I can beat any 135-pound fighter. I have to prove it Friday night. I have to step up and prove that I belong."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for krikya360.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing