Undefeated junior middleweight James Moore, a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, can’t wait to open the televised portion of ESPN 2’s Wednesday Fights on June 4 at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, NY. As a veteran of 314 amateur fights and the onetime captain of the Irish national amateur team, he is much too experienced to underestimate his opponent, Gabriel Rosada, 9-2 (6 KOS), of Philadelphia..
The main event will feature Yusaf Mack, 24-2-2 (15 KOS), of Philadelphia vs. Daniel Judah, 22-2-3 (10 KOS), of Brooklyn. At stake will be the vacant NABA light heavyweight title. The show is being promoted by Winky Wright Promotions, in association with Thomas Gallagher Productions.
Being the confident young man that he is, Moore expects to defeat Rosada handily. He will then actively campaign to secure the most challenging fights available. There are scores of young guns in his division, and he is eager to fight any of them right now.
They include James Kirkland, 22-0 (14 KOS), of Austin, TX; Alfredo Angulo, 13-0 (10 KOS), a Mexican who resides in California; Ronald Hearns, 18-0 (14 KOS) of Detroit; and New York rivals Pawel Wolak, 21-0 (14 KOS); and Andrey Tsurkan, 26-3 (17 KOS).
“Kirkland and Angulo looked good on HBO After Dark a few weeks ago, so why not put them back on the network with me as the opponent,” said Moore. “I’d be happy to go in there in the role of the opponent because I know what I can do.”
A while back representatives of Hearns inquired about fighting Moore on HBO. When the Moore camp immediately accepted the bout, the Hearns camp expressed no further interest.
“They came to us, we didn’t go to them,” said Harry Keitt, who has trained Moore for his entire career. “When we accepted the fight, they did their research and everyone they talked to said they wouldn’t win.”
Moore is not the type to bash anyone in print, but has no problem bashing them in the ring. He recently returned from Sicily where he helped IBF junior welterweight champion Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi prepare for his May 24 title defense against Lovemore N’dou. Malignaggi has stated on numerous occasions that Moore might look like a lamb but he is a tiger in the ring.
“He’d knock his mother out in sparring,” said the Magic Man. “Don’t let his (boyish) looks fool you. When he’s in the ring, he’s a different guy, an animal.”
Promoter Tommy Gallagher, who starred in season one of “The Contender” reality television series, says Moore is one of the top prospects in the world. Former heavyweight contender Seamus McDonagh says Moore is the most confident fighter he’s ever met, and HBO judge Harold Lederman said Moore would be ideally matched with either Kirkland or Angulo.
Moore knows how important a victory over Rosada is on June 4, because it will lay the foundation for what he is sure will be a championship reign in the future.
“I’m not one to talk smack about anyone,” said Moore. “I respect all fighters, but I’m 30 years old and I have been wanting to make my move for a long time. No disrespect to Rosada, but I wouldn’t want to be him and have to fight me on Wednesday night.”
The Aviator Sports Complex is located on Flatbush Avenue, just south of the Belt Parkway, Exit 11S, Brooklyn, NY 11234. Doors will open at 6:30 P.M.
For tickets call Gleason’s Gym at 718-797-2872. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities contact Tommy Gallagher at 917-774-3517.