19.10.05 – By Tony Nobbs: Hometown golden girl Sharon Anyos (10-3, 2 KO’s) is counting down the hours to her inaugural WBC women’s featherweight world championship fight at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland on Saturday night. Anyos, who turned 35 last week, faces Argentina’s well credentialed Marcela Eliana Acuna (age:29/record:19-4,12 KO’s) over ten by two minute rounds on top of a title filled card put together by RDG Promotions. Referee will be respected Queenslander Brad Vocale with judges Ken Morita (Japan), Noppharat Sricharoen (Thailand) and Gus Mercurio (Victoria, Australia). WBC supervisor: Frank Quill (Victoria, Australia). Recent work with trainer and partner Steve Boyce and world rated jnr welterweight Lovemore Ndou has Anyos believing she is in the best shape of her life and ready to create a mark in history by overcoming her fancied opponent in what is setting up to be an intriguing main attraction. Eastside spoke to the personable Sharon on Tuesday night and here is what she had to say.
Eastside: Sharon, what do you know of Marcela?
Sharon Anyos: Tony, you have to be the 498th person to ask me that in the past week. She has an awesome record on paper. I know she is very sharp, very fit, has been into the later rounds. (Acuna lost on points over ten rounds to Christy Martin on debut in 1997 and was beaten in her second start by Lucia Rijker. She is currently on an eight bout win streak). I met her last Saturday at the seven-day weigh in and she is a lovely person, you can tell she has a good nature about her. Of course, on fight night, it will be all business.
ESB: How has your preparation been?
SA: Awesome! The training I have done over the past six weeks, I have to say, physically and mentally I have never felt better.
ESB: How is your weight?
SA: At the seven-day weigh in I had to be 60 kg, I came in at 56 kg, a kilo plus under the weight limit for the fight. (Acuna) also came in under the weight so obviously she has done the hard work and is in great shape.
ESB: You have already held world titles. What does the WBC title mean to you?
SA: I have had the privilege to be a world champion with the WIBA and WBF but to be finally fighting for the WBC title makes every punch I have thrown and every drop of sweat worthwhile. It has been a dream of mine from day one to be a WBC champion and now the chance is here I intend giving it everything and there will be no looking back.
ESB: How have the WBC been to deal with?
SA: The WBC title is the most prestigious in the world and they have been great to deal with. They are second to none. This is an enormous opportunity for both of us girls.
ESB: Of course you can’t afford to look past Saturday night but can you tell us what we can expect from you in the future?
SA: We have many offers on the table. There are opportunities to defend and also there are some major sponsorship deals we are negotiating. But all I am thinking about now is winning this fight.
ESB: Thanks Sharon.
SA: Thanks. And thank you to everyone who has ever supported me.