by James Slater – Reigning European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore hopes to be just one more win away from a shot at the WBC 154-pound championship. Set to defend his European belt against Frenchman Jimmy Colas on July 24th (the fight was originally set for July 18th, but due to Floyd Mayweather’s bout against Juan Manuel Marquez being postponed, the Moore fight, which would have been part of the SKY Sports package for that pay-per-view night of boxing, was put back six days) 30-year-old Moore hopes to move on to the world stage afterwards..
It’s been a long time coming for the 32-3(23) Salford man, but a world title fight is at last within his grasp – assuming, of course, he doesn’t slip up against the 29-year-old from France with the respectable 27-6(11) record.
Moore spoke with The Salford Advertiser about his hopes for a crack at the world title before the year is out.
“Now that I am up to number three in the WBC rankings and with my promoter Frank Maloney lobbying the WBC to make me the mandatory challenger, I think I am one or two wins away from getting a world title shot,” Moore said. “I want to fight for the title before the end of the year. I don’t want to wait around – I’ve done enough of that in the past due to injuries and boxing politics – so I am pleased I will soon be back in the ring.”
The exciting southpaw is probably at his very peak right now, and it really is high time the hard worker was rewarded with a shot at the WBC crown. Looking sensational in his last two fights – when he despatched the experienced Michele Piccirrillo inside three-rounds and then the decent Roman Dzuman in just two-rounds – the 30-year-old hopes to get a fight with interim WBC light-middleweight champ Sergio Martinez. Failing that, Moore could also fight Kermit Cintron in a final eliminator.
But first Jamie must see off Colas on July 24th.
“I’ve seen Colas fight a few times,” Moore continued. “He’s certainly no mug but I am very confident of winning. Once I have beaten Colas, I am then hoping to fight WBC champion Sergio Martinez or having a final eliminator with Kermit Cintron. I am ready to fight in and win major fights like those.”
Moore against fellow southpaw Martinez would be a very interesting fight, and one that Moore would have to be given a good chance of winning. Whereas a fight with big puncher Cintron – who, of course controversially drew with Martinez last time out – would be a potential thriller.
As for the man he meets next, in Colas, Moore will be facing a fighter who has never yet been stopped. Judging by the way Jamie’s been punching lately, to the body especially, Cola could wind up being beaten inside the distance for the first time in his career next month.
A huge upset aside, Jamie Moore will remain on course for his shot at world honours.