This Friday night in Atlanta world renowned middleweight boxer Hector Camacho Jr. (53-4-1) will return to the ring as he continues to embark on his journey of winning the title. As he prepares for the underdog Sakir Ashanti (16-11), Camacho Jr. keeps his main goal in sight.
“I can’t look past a fighter like Ashanti, because he comes in to play the spoiler role,” said Camacho Jr. “I have to be live and sharp. These are the kind of fighters that you have to let them know right away that they have no business in the ring with me. If you allow a fighter like Ashanti to stick around and believe he has a chance then you’re in for a long night.”
Going into this fight Camacho Jr. is confident that his training regime and work ethic will help him emerge the victor.
“I have worked hard to train for this fight, focusing on using my speed and experience to my advantage in setting up my attack,” said Camacho Jr. “I plan to win the fight using my ring smarts and experience.”
Camacho Jr. won his only other fight of 2011, and has gone an impressive 9-1 over his last 10 bouts. Looking forward, Camacho Jr. plans to drop down in weight following this bout to make a run at the welterweight championship.
“I want to focus on making the welterweight limits and starting going after the champions at that weight class,” said Camacho Jr. “There are some of the top fighters at that weight, and if I want to make an impact on my way to the championship, that is the way to do it.”
Outside of the ring Camacho Jr. has been working with his team in orchestrating a charity event for Harlem. Camacho Jr. is looking to host a boxing exhibition to spread awareness of gang and drug violence affluent in communities and raise money to help local schools.
“It is important to stay involved with my community, and to give back to the kids,” said Camacho Jr. “After this July 30 fight I plan to focus my efforts and helping out as much as possible and making a difference wherever I can.”
For more information on the latest developments with Hector Camacho Jr. visit https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/hector.camacho1.
Ayala vs. Findley on Friday
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 27, 2011) – A last-minute change of plans has former world-title challenger Elvin Ayala preparing for a new – and perhaps more dangerous – opponent in Friday night’s co-feature at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Ayala’s original opponent, Israel “Pito” Cardona of Hartford, Conn., has been scratched from the lineup by the Mohegan Sun Athletic Department for unknown reasons, so Ayala will now take on veteran Derrick “Superman” Findley (18-5, 11 KOs) of Gary, Ind., in a 10-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) U.S. National Boxing Council middleweight title Friday, July 29, 2011 at “Heat Wave,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports in association with Global Boxing Promotions.
Friday’s main event features Clones, Ireland (Dorchester, Mass.) veteran Kevin McBride (35-9-1, 29 KOs) – the last fighter to knock out Mike Tyson – facing undefeated Polish heavyweight Mariusz Wach (24-0, 12 KOs) of Krakow, Poland (North Bergen, N.J.) in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBC International heavyweight title.
“When I faced Sergio Mora [in October of 2007], he was ‘The Latin Snake,’ so I was the mongoose,” Ayala said regarding his draw against the former World Boxing Council (WBC) light middleweight champion. “[Findley] is ‘Superman,’ so I’m going to have to be the kryptonite.
“I’m ready for this. I have to be ready. I’m going to be the world champion. How am I going to be the champ if I can’t beat world-class fighters? I’m not taking anything away from ‘Pito’ Cardona, but I think he was a little bit over the hill. This guy I’m facing now is a definite challenge and it’ll put me where I need to be. People will say, ‘Wow, Elvin is going up against a worthy opponent.’
“This has happened to me before. In my mind, I was kind of expecting it so it wasn’t a total surprise. This is the life of a boxer. As a fighter, you can’t train for one style. You have to be ready to fight whoever’s in the ring. I have to be able to handle this. That’s what separates champions from regular fighters.”
Ayala, nicknamed “The Pride of New Haven,” was originally scheduled to face the 36-year-old Cardona of Hartford, Conn., in a highly-anticipated intrastate showdown, but now his path to the WBC USNBC title must go through Findley, who has a deep resume that includes bouts against former 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Andre Dirrell (19-1, 13 KOs) and Super Six World Boxing Classic finalist Andre Ward, who’ll face Carl Froch in the tournament’s inaugural championship bout on Oct. 29, 2011 in Atlantic City. Ward coincidentally took home the gold medal the same year Dirrell won the bronze; Findley lost to both fighters by unanimous decision in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
Findley has also faced undefeated Russian prospect Matt Korobov – 16-0 with nine knockouts – and owns two wins over Michael Walker, the most recent coming in May. Findley was scheduled to face former North American Boxing Association (NABA) super middleweight champion Kingsley Ikeke on Saturday, but the fight fell through, allowing Findley to step in against Ayala for the WBC USNBC middleweight title, a belt once held by former world champions Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Lamont Peterson.
“To me, he’s a like a stronger, younger ‘Pito’ Cardona,” Ayala said of Findley. “He’s coming in to throw bombs. He’ll be ready. He already had a fight lined up, so he’s in tip-top shape. This is my opportunity. This is my change in life. I have to beat this guy, whether I outbox him or knock him out. I have to win, so I will.”
The undercard includes New Haven welterweight Edwin Soto (6-0-1, 2 KOs) battling Michael Denby (3-11-4, 2 KOs) of Felton, Del.; and undefeated heavyweight Artur Spzilka of Poland (5-0, 3 KOs) facing Philadelphia’s David Williams (6-4-1, 2 KOs). Cruiserweight Jose Torres of Springfield, Mass., will make his debut against fellow newcomer Pedro Rivera of Southbridge, Mass.; super middleweight Greg McCoy (2-3-1, 1 KO) of New Haven will fight in a separate four-round bout against Worcester’s Ralph Johnson (0-1); and super middleweight Keith Kozlin (6-2, 4 KOs) of Warwick, R.I., will face Woonsocket’s Reynaldo Rodriguez (5-2, 2 KOs) in a six-round intrastate showdown. The special attraction on July 29th will be an eight-round light middleweight bout featuring Worcester, Mass., veteran and former three-time world champion Jose Antonio Rivera (40-6-1, 24 KOs) against Paul Mpendo (7-7-4, 3 KOs) of Oregon. Junior welterweight Agustine Mauras (1-0, 1 KO) of Lawrence, Mass., will face rival Johnathan Vazquez (4-0, 3 KOs) of New Bedford, Mass., in a rematch of their amateur bout three years ago. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Heat Wave,” which are priced at $40, $65 and $105, can be purchased by calling CES at 401.724.2253/2254 or Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.cesboxing.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. For more information on “Heat Wave,” visit www.cesboxing.com or www.mohegansun.com. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the first bout scheduled for 7:30 p.m. “Heat Wave” will also be available live on Pay-Per-View through www.fight-stream.com for $9.99.