With two devastating knockdowns and a swarming attack from rounds one through twelve, Juan Urango was not going to be denied in his battle to regain the IBF junior welterweight title Friday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and he wasn’t, as he pounded out a dominant 12 round unanimous decision over courageous Herman Ngoudjo. Now Urango is back on top of the junior welterweight division..
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now,” said Urango after the fight. “I wanted this title back so bad and nothing was going to stop me. I knew Herman was going to be a tough challenge, and he lived up to all my expectations, as he forced me to fight my best fight ever. I have no doubt that he will one day be a champion.”
The victory lifted Urango’s stellar pro record to 21-1-1 with 16 KOs, and while he expects to take a few days off to savor his win, after that it’s back to the gym as he gets ready for the best the 140-pound weight class has to offer.
“I believe the junior welterweight division is the best in boxing, and I have no shortage of great fights here,” said Urango. “I’d love to unify the title with the other champions, but my real goal is a rematch with Ricky Hatton so I can avenge my only loss. The result of our first fight is something I can’t accept, and after he fights Manny Pacquiao in May, win or lose, I want the opportunity to get even. In the meantime, line up the best in the division, and I’ll fight them.”
The Battle of the Moore’s
A boxing battle of the Moore’s Jamie and James could provide a bit of pugilist history if as planned it comes off this year.
James Moore’s manager Tommy Egan has already held initial discussion with Jamie Moore’s manager Steve Wood about a possible European title fight between Jamie Moore, the Irish Light Middleweight Champion and Arklow’s James Moore, who fights out of the famed Gleeson’s Gym in Brooklyn New York.
If the bout materializes it will be the first time in Irish boxing history that two Irish punchers contested a fight with continental honors at stake.
The potential fight, which certainly would be as exciting as it would be historic, is subject to negotiations and other factors, but James Moore’s manager Tommy Egan is very confident the bout can take place latter this year.
Firstly Salford born Jamie Moore (33-30-3) has to emerge victorious from his clash with Michele Piccirillo. Jamie Moore will take on the Italian for the vacant European Title, a belt he has had in his sights since 2007 and if, as expected, he claims that continental crown a battle with his namesake and Arklow native James Moore (18-16-2) would almost certainly be his first defense.
“I have had talks with Steve Wood, Jamie’s manager, and everything is positive so far. He can’t see a reason why the fight wouldn’t take place if Jamie wins the European belt, nor can I.,” Egan explained. “Both fighters are eager to get it on and it would be a brilliant as well as an historic boxing match. In fairness to Jamie he is focused on his Title shot on March 6, and any future European title fight would be subject to winning the crown. That means all the finer points can not really be sorted but I am very positive the fight would go ahead. It’s good for everyone the fans and the fighters and it’s a very distinct possibility.”
Not only would a modern day Moore battle excite boxing historians it will also prompt boxing fans to drool.
Jamie Moore, who stopped Ciaran Healy to claim the Irish Light-Middleweight Title, is an exciting puncher and has been long tipped to go on and impress on the world stage. While Jame Moore, a Bronze Medalist at the 2001 World Amateur games has forged a very impressive career in the States and like Jamie Moore, whose mother hails from Kilkenny, is fond of a fight.
“As I said its not only a great fight for Irish boxing having two Irish fighters fight for a European crown it is also a great fight for fans in Britain and world wide. Jamie is a great fighter as is James. They both love to fight and it would have all the makings of a fight of the year contender. I think it would really capture the public imagination and hopefully it will come off by the Summer.”
MEET AND GREET ISARAELI SENSATIONS RAN NAKASH & ELAD SHMOUEL THIS WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY IN JENKINTOWN, PA
PHILADELPHIA (February 1, 2009)—Fans Can meet sensational Israeli boxers, Ran Nakash & Elad Shmouel this Wednesday & Thurs in Jenkintown, Pa
The pair will be at Applebees in Jenkintown this Wednesday at 6:30 pm and again will be able to meet their fans this Thursday night at The Crowne Plaza in Philadelphia
Nakash & Shmouel will be part of a huge night of boxing This Friday night at The Legendary Blue Horizon
Nakash of Haifa, Israel has a record of 16-0 with twelve knockouts, will be meeting Ryan Carrol (7-1, 4 KO’s) of Delaware, Ohio in the main event scheduled for eight rounds in the Cruiserweight division
Shmouel of Tel Aviv, Israel will bring in a record of 18-2 with nine knockouts as the native of Tel Aviv, Israel will take on Khristian Garaci (4-5-1, 3 KO’s) of Pittsburgh in a six round Jr. Welterweight fight
WHO: Israeli sensations—Ran Nakash (16-0, 12 KO’s) –Tel Aviv, Israel
Elad Shmouel (18-2, 9 KO’s)—Haifa, Israel—
WHAT: Meet and greet with the boxing fans of the Delaware Valley
WHERE/WHEN APPLEBEES
323 Old York Road
Jenkintown, PA
Wednesday February 4th at 6:30 pm
Crowne Plaza
4100 Presidential Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Thursday February 5th at 6:30 pm