While Juarez Chooses To Talk With His Fists!
13.07.04 – By Carlos Kalinchuk: This Saturday undefeated 1996 U.S. Olympian Zahir Raheem (25-0, 15 KO’s) will step into the unfriendly confines of the Houston Reliant Arena to fight undefeated 2000 U.S. Silver Medalist and Houstonian Rocky Juarez (20-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12 round eliminator bout for the IBF’s #1 ranking. The winner of the bout will become the mandatory challenger for very tough IBF Champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
Thus far, Raheem is better known for his accomplishments in the second round of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, where he lost to eventual Silver Medalist Arnaldo Mesa of Cuba. But one can’t ignore his professional accomplishments either as he’s stopped nine of his last 11 opponents, five within the first three rounds.
One thing is certain: confidence will not be a problem for Raheem.
“I don’t take anything away from Rocky, but clearly, honestly, I believe I will beat him. I don’t think it’s going the distance. I will beat him decisively. He’s a good fighter, but I’m better.”
Strong words. But what about Rocky’s style?
“He [Juarez] can only fight standing still. Flat-footed. His style comes a dime a dozen. It’s very common.”
Although he admits he’s “a little more excited”, he hasn’t trained any differently for this crossroads bout:
“I train hard for all my fights. Twelve rounds isn’t going to be a problem because I’ve been 12 rounds. I’m up for this fight. I’ve got it ‘locked-and-loaded’”.
While Raheem has shown extreme confidence and as some would say, nervous energy leading up to the fight, Juarez has remained relaxed and poised like the calm before the storm.
Rocky’s response?
“He [Raheem] feels similarly to the way I feel. I’m used to fighting opponents with his style from my amateur days. I’ve always been able to figure out their styles more easily than other styles.”
Rocky’s Prediction?
“I don’t make predictions. I’ll just say that I feel very confident that good things will come to me on July 17 and that I’ll come out on top.”
Tickets are still available for this Saturday’s bout and they can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com Additionally, tickets are very affordably priced at $150, $50, and $25 so if you have a chance to go to these fights, don’t miss out!
Carlos “Stiff-jab” Kalinchuk
Contributing Writer & Photographer