There’s no doubt that former Cuban Olympian Yordanis Despaigne (6-0, 4 KOs) is off to a quick start in the professional ranks.
But, after his impressive 300-fight amateur career, including victories over several future world champions, 30-year-old Despaigne has already paid his boxing dues. Among many others, Despaigne holds victories over future professional boxing champions Andre Dirrell, Jean Pascal and Károly Balzsay.
Despaigne now lives in Coral Gables, Florida, after fleeing his native Cuba in the spring of 2009. He will take on undefeated Colombian power puncher Frank Paines (11-0, 10 KOs), in a 10-round middleweight showdown where someone’s “0” must go, on tonight’s (August 18) edition of ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights, live from the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana.
At 30 years old, how much pressure do you feel to hurry up and make an impact?
Age is nothing but a number. I feel like a kid. I’m eating better than I did in Cuba and training harder than ever. I know that I am in the right hands and I will get my shot real soon. I have already fought a 10-round fight and I’m going for my second. By this time next year, I expect to have a world title belt around my waist.
You were in against a former world title challenger in your sixth fight. Aren’t you intimidated about facing such established professionals so early in your career?
No not at all. When I first got to this country, the first words that came out of my mouth to my promoter, Luis DeCubas Sr., were ‘I came to this country to fight the best and beat them.’ And, I feel that my game steps up another level when I’m fighting the best fighters in the world.
Experts have said that one of the biggest downfalls for the Cuban boxers is that they seem to lose some discipline once they land in America where things are more available, are you sticking to your training regimen and keeping disciplined?
I am training harder than ever. I have had some examples by some of my peers and that has given me that extra push that I need to become a champion. I see some great fighters in Cuba that come here to struggle and not do anything with their careers and that hurts me a lot but it also motivates me to make it and to take care of my family and give them some of the luxuries in life that they never expected.
Tell me about your life since leaving Cuba . Is living in the United States enjoyable to you?
FREEDOM. That is enjoyable. The only thing that hurts is my family and friends are still in Cuba. It is hard to wake up everyday to new faces, but this is the reason I came over here – to better my life and my family’s life.
What do you know about your opponent?
Not much. I know he is a Colombian banger and is undefeated, so he is coming to fight. And, I love that. I will use whatever strengths he has against him. I am not worried at all, as I have seen lots of different styles in the amateurs.
If you are victorious on Wednesday, what will your next move be? Have any opponents been mentioned?
I leave that to my promoters and managers. I want to fight the best, that’s all. I want to fight Dawson, Pascal, Cloud, any of the top guys in this division. I will take over 175!
Tickets for “Battle on the Bayou” are on sale and priced at Ringside $40, Floor and Risers $25. General Admission seats are just $15. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Monroe Civic Center box office.
All government employees with valid government ID will pay just $10 for general admission seats.
The live ESPN2 broadcast begins at 10 pm Eastern, 9 Central.
For more information, www.keeppunching.com.