TalkingBoxing News
Mayorga on his Upcoming WBC Title Fight
THU July 28 - "I was a great champion at the welterweight level winning two or three titles. I went to the middleweight division, skipping 154 lb., although I did make one fight there", Mayorga said at yesterday's press conference for his August 13th WBC title fight with Michele Piccirillo. "I think my history as a
welterweight
and the decision to go to 154 lb. Is sufficient enough to give me a
shot at
the title."
"Thank God that my problems outside of the ring are pretty much solved.
My
attorney has been taking care of everything and by his advice, I am
concentrating totally on the fight and leaving the rest to my attorney.
At this point there is nothing going on outside of the ring. The one thing – the rape charges, I have gotten vindicated of all charges. They are trying to reopen the case but eventually it will die out."
Piccirillo fights outside – what will be your strategy for the fight?
"I am doing great work with my trainer, Yoel Judah, and we are anticipating that what type of fight will develop. We are planning for all types that he might bring to the ring," Mayorga said.
"Ricardo is a strong fighter and we are making a few adjustments with his feet and head movement and his angles - pivoting and all of that kind of stuff," trainer of Mayorga Yoel Judah said. " His offense is great. I am trying to hold back on his offense. We are getting the defense down. I don’t think Piccirillo will be a problem for him."
"I have seen tapes of this guy – about six of his fights - and I really don’t have a high opinion of him, Mayorga said. "I don’t think he is going to be able to withstand my pressure and I am going to be able to run right over him."
In my opinion I can just look at his record. Basically he is fighting guys that are stepping on grapes to make wine. He has not fought a guy of my caliber and you will see that when I knock him out in two rounds."
Did you learn anything from the Trinidad fight?
"To begin with, I don’t believe I made an error in fighting him. Everyone takes a calculated risk. I took a calculated risk to move up to the middleweight division to see what I had. It was a little too much weight for me but I am not using that as an excuse. It was a mad night for me and I don’t take anything away from Trinidad. Now I am at the junior middleweight division which is a weight that I am real comfortable with."
"I think if I had better training and better conditioning I think I would have had a better fight. However, I had issues outside the ring that didn’t allow me to concentrate for the fight. I had the car accident and the charges that were brought against me. My head was not in the fight that night. But I want to repeat, I am not making excuses, but it was a bad night for me."
What are your thoughts on working with Yoel Judah?
"I am doing good work with him and my chief second and things are going well. Yoel is helping me out punching the mitts under the direction of Luis Colon, my other trainer and brother-in-law.
Without a doubt, Yoel has shown me a lot of defensive techniques. I have picked up a lot of wisdom from him and I have nothing bad to say about him – only good.
How's it been working with Ricardo Mayorga?
"I can’t convey everything I want to. Ricardo has been picking things up very well and is very receptive. Everything I tell him to do he does it. Personally, and I will say it again, he will not have a problem with Piccirillo.
Yoel, are there any changes in Ricardo?
"He’s not getting hit, number one. For Piccirillo to land one or two, he’s really going to have to earn it now. If he tries to hit him, he’s going to get hit. He’s moving his hands and doing short pivots. He’s getting low and staying behind his jab, putting his hands in front of his face. He’s doing a lot of good things. The first week or two was hard, but it’s like anything else, you have to keep going over and over it. I do a lot of pad work and we do a lot of one-on-one off to the side. We start off slow and quicken until we get to normal speed. Everything I’ve taught him so far he’s done pretty good.
"He loves it. The things I’m showing him – he loves it. He’s not getting hit and he’s hurting guys. He’s a different fighter. He’s going to be different and you can tell everybody that.
"Ricardo is a very receptive guy and he picks up things well. I’m just trying to show him little moves. He’s a helluva puncher and he always been able to take a punch. I’m showing how to throw a punch and how to throw all the punches without getting hit. Mainly, I am working on defense because everything else…he’s in the ballpark with. Power, speed, movement, and aggressiveness – he’s got everything. Sometimes he likes to take two or three punches before getting on in.
Ricardo, final question...Vargas or Castillejo?
"Obviously I would like to fight Vargas and I think he should beat Castillejo. I want to face the better fighter. I want Vargas to come to my fight. In case he is low on cash I will pay for his ringside ticket on August 13th. Once I win and do my job I expect him to do the same and I think it would be a great fight. I don’t think he’s man enough to beat me but we’ll see what happens if he gets by Castillejo."
Juan at the Don - Lazcano Battles Perez
THU July 28 - El Paso's Juan Lazcano, Ring Magazine's #3 World rated lightweight, returns to the ring for the first time in over a year when he takes on California State Lightweight Champion, Marco Angel Perez on Friday, August 19 at UTEP's Don Haskins Center, according to promoter Oscar De La Hoya, head of Golden Boy Promotions.
The Lazcano vs Perez, ten-round Main Event will be one of seven bouts on a nationally televised fight card billed as "JUAN AT THE DON." The first bout begins at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to Lazcano, El Paso fighters Antonio Escalante and Rene Armijo will be participating on the card.
Escalante (7-1), considered a top Jr. Featherweight prospect, will be paired against Ivan Cazarez (12-6), of Los Angeles in an eight round contest. Armijo (4-1), who gain! ed notoriety as a competitor on De La Hoya's TV boxing reality show, "The Next Great Champ," will be battling Dallas' Jesse Orta (4-5-1) in a six round Jr. Middleweight bout.
Tickets for the event, priced at $20, $30 and $50, are on sale now at the UTEP Ticket Center and all TicketMaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 915-544-8444.
For Lazcano, now 33-3-1, it will be his first fight since losing a hard fought decision back on June 5, 2004, to Mexican legend Jose Luis Castillo for Castillo's WBC World Lightweight title. Castillo has since gone on to become one of boxing's top ten, pound-for-pound fighters in any division.
For Lazcano, it's back to business and focusing on another world title shot. "I'm well rested and ready to go," said Lazcano.
"This fight on August 19th wi! ll be a great opportunity for me to get back in there and star! t anothe r title run. That is still my only goal, to fight again for the title and become El Paso's first world champion. But first I have to get by a very tough opponent in Perez."
According to De La Hoya, if Lazcano can defeat Perez, 21-7, he will be back in the hunt for the World Lightweight Championship.
"It is very important that a highly ranked fighter like Juan win every fight at this point in his career," pointed out De La Hoya. "If he can get through this fight and perhaps one or two more, he'll be in great position to challenge for another world title.
"But what he can't afford to do is lose in a situation like this. That's why he has to treat the fight with Perez as if it were a title fight. Without a win on August 19, there is no title fight anytime soon."
Perez should provide plenty of competition for Lazcano. He's currently the California Lightweight Champion, having won the title from Yani Vargas on March 22, 2003. He has since had one successful title defense.
"I know he (Perez) is a really experienced fighter and good puncher, as well," said Lazcano of Perez. "Of his 21 wins, 14 are by knockout so he can be dangerous. But I'm going to be in top shape by fight time and ready for anything he has to offer. I'll be ready to give the fans in El Paso a great show."
The remainder of the card is to be announced.
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