MAYORGA-SPINKS CAMP NOTES

20.11.03 – Welterweight king, Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga, has completed over a month of training and is deeply entrenched in his preparations at his training camp in Ft. Pierce, Florida for his December 13th undisputed welterweight battle against Cory Spinks. With temperatures soaring in the 80s outside and the gym temperature hovering around 90 degrees, Mayorga is steeled for combat. Some interesting news items from inside Camp Mayorga include:

Ricardo came to camp tipping the scales 168, but has already trimmed down to 156 with less than one month to go. His twice-daily meals consist of rice, beans and plantains. “It’s not that hard to lose weight under this heat,” explained Mayorga. “I am not a big eater anyway, nor have I had a (alcoholic) drink since I got here. That makes it easy.”

Ricardo Mayorga has reunited with former trainer, Panamanian Ribogerto Garibaldi, a strict disciplinarian who keeps Mayorga from slacking off when tempted. Garibaldi was with Mayorga during most of his early career through his first fight with Andrew Lewis. “He is a great trainer and it feels like old times having him back,” said Mayorga. “He makes training a challenge everyday and that keeps me motivated, especially under these hard conditions.”

What Mayorga needs to be motivated most for is hitting the heavy bag and shadow boxing because according to ‘El Matador,’ “I don’t know why I don’t like them, I just don’t”

Shopping Spree–Now that Mayorga is making “real” money for his boxing success, he can afford a few luxuries in training camp. “I love Walmart and there’s one right up the street,” said Mayorga. “They have EVERYTHING there.” For this camp, Mayorga’s picked up a television, A DVD player, a sound system and a Playstation. What Playstation games? Baseball and boxing, of course. When he packs his bags for Atlantic City, he will give everythin

Mayorga remains undefeated on the Playstation for the same reasons he wins in the ring. A camp insider says he plays the game just like he fights. “He doesn’t move the guy around that much,” explained the source. “He just stands there, keeps punching and ultimately, he knocks the guy out with the right hand.”

Cigarette Update–“Everybody knows I smoke, but I am always in better condition than my opponent. So what difference does it make?” reasoned Mayorga. “During camp, I cut back the closer it gets to the fight.”

Cory “Next Generation” Spinks, IBF Welterweight Champion,

Son of Leon Spinks, Former World Heavyweight Champion

Nephew of Michael Spinks, former Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight World Champion; Training in Las Vegas, NV

“This is a dynamic card. Eight world title fights and five on television,” said Spinks regarding December 13th. “I’m just excited to be on it, I can’t wait for that night, so I can show the people that I am the real deal.”

Cory feels unappreciated as an underdog… “Totally, totally. Nobody really has had a chance to see me see me fight and win my titles. I had to fight everyone that was put in front of me to get to where I am. It’s like the old school. And that’s the type of champ I am, I’m not scared to fight anyone. I’ll fight anybody.”

The Spinks camp, run by trainer Kevin Cunningham, has been preparing for December 13 in Las Vegas, NV. Cory has been training in Vegas for the past five years. One added feature for this particular camp is strength work. Added to the daily routine has been work with light weights, stepped up are push ups and pull ups.

Cory runs six days a week on Mount Charleston, elevation 8,000 feet. On Tuesday’s and Thursdays Cory starts at 5500 feet and runs on a constant incline four miles up, to the 8,000 foot mark then 1 mile across. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Cory runs five miles across the top of the mountain. On Saturday, Spinks runs wind sprints at the top.

“There is now way Mayorga is doing what we’re doing,” said Cunningham. “And he doesn’t have the skills Cory does. So he’s in trouble.”

“Mayorga is just a tough, rugged fighter. He’s a wild man and strong, but I’m a grown man and I can hold my own. I give him his credit. He beat two champs, but he has to get past me to be the man and he’s not going to do that.”

SPINKS LEGACY

“They each had a huge heart and they weren’t scared of anybody,” said Cory about his father and uncle. “My uncle was a little loose and my dad had one of the biggest hearts in boxing, and that’s what I have. People just haven’t seen me. I can sit down and bang with you or I can be smart and box you.”

Cory speaks to his father Leon, who knows what it’s like to be an underdog and to win as one, regularly. “Train hard,” said Leon the other day. “And I will be at the fight.”

“My dad knows if I go in there and do my thing and fight to the best of my abilities, I should come out on top. That’s the mentality every fighter should have. Don’t worry about what this fighter is going to do, just get in there and do what you have to do.”

Uncle Michael Spinks has also been calling camp. It’s a big fight,” said Michael recently. “You’re not being brought in here to win, so you’re going to have to use all of your Spinks blood to pull this one out.”

“To become to Olympic champions and to be heavyweight champions. That’s something you have to strive for and push for to keep that legacy going,” said Cory about his family heritage. “It’s a big inspiration, and a little bit of pressure. I expect that pressure, because with my name, I can’t be an average fighter. I have to come in to the ring prepared.”

The event will be held at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and will be promoted by Don King Productions in association with Caesars Atlantic City, Bally’s Atlantic City and sponsored by CMXChange. It will be distributed domestically by HBO Pay-Per-View and internationally by DK International Sales carried on KingVision.

Tickets for “BACK-to-BACK-to-BACK” are priced at $600, $400, $250, $150, $100 and $50, are available at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Box Office, by calling DKP Tickets at 1-800-589-4860, TicketMaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

The “BACK-to-BACK-to-BACK” pay-per-view telecast on December 13th is being distributed domestically by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to over 48 million pay-per-view homes. The “BACK-to-BACK-to-BACK” pay-per-view telecast begins at 8pm ET/5 pm PT. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.