Interview: Daniel "The Prophet" Attah

Ike Enwereuzor

Interview with unbeaten WBO number-one junior Lightweight mandatory challenger and NABO jr lightweight champion Daniel "the Prophet" Attah now (20-0-1) 8KO's who's currently preparing for his showdown with undefeated WBA/WBO 130 pound champion Acelino Freitas August 3, 2002. This event will be televised on Showtime Network TV. The Freitas-Attah bout is expected to bring some explosions. It's a battle of undefeated champions.

Attah accumulated over 150 amateur fights but lost only 5 winning several medals as amateur. He represented his Country Nigeria, in 1996 Olympic games in Altanta, Ga reaching the quarterfinals. Here's what the NABO junior Lightweight champion had to say.........

How is training coming along for your fight with WBA/WBO jr lightweight champ Acelino Freitas?
Training is going great, we'll be ready for him whenever he's ready to fight. He don't have to be scare of me. They said he hurt himself, I don't care, I've been waiting and I'm willing to wait. We were schedule to meet June, now it's pushed to August 3 and I don't know the venue yet. I know
Freitas is trying to buy time, so we'll be ready for him.

Your thought of the Freitas-Casamayor fight?
I was there on ring side. My promoter Murad Mohammed sent me a ticket so I went to the fight. I really wanted Freitas to win. I think both guys were scared of each other. Casamayor was more scared than Freitas. After Freitas connected few shots then he built some confidence and started coming forward. Casamayor was fighting passive defence not active defence and never used his jabs. casamayor lost the fight. He lost the first five rounds maybe won 6, 7 & 9. I know I wouldn't make the mistake Casamayor made. After Freitas beat Casamayor then Freitas wanted to aviod me again trying to make a fight with Daniel Santos but we protested, they tried to offer me $40,000 (Forty thousand dollars) to step aside so Freitas could fight Santos. I wonder what these people think I am.

What's your impression of Freitas?
I respect him as a champion and good fighter. He's one of my favorite fighters but I'm in a mission to take away the titles from him and he know it too. Champion is made not born, he beat somebody to be there then he can be beaten and I'll prove it come August 3. He can't continue
ducking me.

Finally, you're getting a world championship on a major TV network. How much are you getting for this fight?
I don't know yet. I'm still waiting for my promoter to tell me something. How can I fight without knowing how much I'm being paid.

Describe your fight with Ariel Nistal of Argentina?
I fought him in his Country, Argentina. I went over there to defend my NABO belt. It was a good fight for me though they called the fight a technical draw but I was just wipping him. I retained my NABO belt anyway so that's a pass we're at a different stage now. I want Acelino Freitas now.

What do you want to tell your fans worldwide?
I must thank my fans for their supports and I'll not let them down. For those of you that have never got a chance to see me in action will see me August 3. The time I have been waiting for has finally come. I can't say much untill I step into ring with Freitas August. I want all my fans to come down to this fight because it will the best of the Prophet you ever seen or checkout Showtime Aug.3 night. For those of you who would like to sponsor me can my manager Cleverland Burgess, my website should be coming up soon. I want to thank Freitas camp, Murad Mohammed, Showtime, my entire camp, all the Nigerians both home and Abroad for their support also.

Thank you for your taking out time from your busy schedule to chat with us.
You're welcome. God bless you and all my fans. People, watch out for my website soon to come