"Sucra" Ray Oliveira sweeter than ever as welterweight

CES card on ESPN Friday Night Fights May 2 at Foxwoods

13.04 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. - After struggling to make weight for two years as a junior welterweight, "Sucra" Ray Oliveira is now on a mission to prove that he is one of the best welterweights in the world, deserving of a title shot against IBF champ Corey Spinks, WBC & WBA title-holder Ricardo Mayorga, or even undisputed junior welterweight champion Kosta Tszyu if he's serious about moving up to the 147-pound class.

Oliveira (44-8-2, 21 KOs) defends his International Boxing Union world welterweight crown for the first time May 2 on a card promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc., in the 12-round main event live on national television, ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

"We've worked hard to get Ray this fight," Burchfield explained. "He's always fought the guy put in front of him, never avoiding anybody at any time, and now I'm comfortable watching him fight at 147 pounds. We've called out all the 147-pound champs, but the one guy we really want is Kosta Tszyu. We've heard he wants to go up to 147. Hey, we're willing to go a few pounds either way, if he really wants to fight as a welterweight. After all Ray's done in the ring, he really deserves a fight against a great champion like Tszyu."

Oliveira's May 2nd opponent is Elio "El Chingo" Ortiz (24-4, 19 KOs), 28, of Coro, Venezuala. He is the Bolivariano and WBA FEDECENTRO welterweight champion. IBF No. 5 rated Omar Weiss, who fought a 10-round draw with Oliveira in 2001, suffered his first career loss in his 29th pro fight to Ortiz via a 10th-round TKO in 1998. Elio went the distance in a loss to Sharmba Mitchell in 1999 for the WBA light welterweight championship. He was stopped in 10 by Mayorga the following year and two years ago, his WBU welterweight title match against Michele Piccirillo, recently dethroned IBF welterweight title-holder, was stopped in the fourth round due to a cut from an accidental head-butt.

"I am much more comfortable walking around and in the ring at 147 pounds," Oliveira said. "I was weak, without any energy, from trying to make 140. I was just lasting and should have done this two years ago. I have a lot more push (working out) now. That's why I'm stronger, bigger and quicker. The top welterweights aren't going to be scared to fight me like the junior welterweights who knew I couldn't be knocked out and would be throwing a lot of punches. Welterweights are going to think I'm just a blown up 140-pounder with no power. They have no idea how strong I am at 147. I predict a lot of knockouts for me at 147."

Oliveira's 13-year pro career includes victories against former world champions Vince Phillips and Charles Murray (twice), as well as current WBA super lightweight champ Vivian Harris. Five of Ray's eight career defeats have come at the hands of former world champions or top 10 contenders such as Vernon Forrest, Jake Rodriquez, Zack Padilla, Ben Tackie and Reggie Green.

Ray's last two fights have been as a welterweight. Oliveira recorded technical knockouts against 32-6-2 Saul Duran in the ninth and 34-3-1 Lorenzo Smith in six.

"I know Ortiz is durable," Ray spoke about his May 2 opponent. "He's fought the best and always seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. He's a worker. I'm going to be in great shape. We're both coming to fight."

For ticket information call CES' corporate office s at 401.724.2253/401.724.2254, visit its Web site at www.cesboxing.com, or contact the Foxwoods box office at 800.200.2882.