With muscles on top of muscles it's hard to believe that Juan Urango only weighs in at 140 pounds.
IBF 140-pound titlist Juan Urango is preparing to step up the welterweight division and face WBC titlist Andre Berto on May 30. The pair will meet at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The hard-punching Colombian, who has won the vacant IBF 140-pound belt on two separate occasions says making a living as a prizefighter is not for the faint of heart.
“It's not easy to be a champion,” Urango told BoxingScene.com from his training base. “Champions are not born, they're made. I have to work very hard and I have to make a lot of sacrifices. I knew if I really worked hard I could become a champion and that's what I've done.”
Urango, who lost a unanimous decision to Ricky Hatton in 2007, brings a record of 21-1-1, 16 knockouts into the fight with the undefeated Berto. Urango says he's not underestimating Berto and he's ready to beat him.
“He's a famous guy, he's a good champion,” explains Urango. “He's a very good fighter. He has a lot of great skills. But I'm working hard right now to counteract those things when we get in the ring together.”
Urango said he has had plenty of opportunities to size up Berto, who reminds some of the young Shane Mosley. Berto has a record of 24-0, 19 knockouts and is making the third defense of the WBC title that he won last June.
Berto (left) took care of David Estrada in 11 rounds when the two faced off at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2007.
“He's fast and all of that and he's got his skills, but I'm a very hard puncher and I bring strength,” said Urango. “I know I'm not the greatest boxer in the world, or don't have the greatest boxing skills, but I'm a very good puncher.”
Urango claims he has no idea how the fight will eventually play itself out, but he is confident of winning a third word title in a second weight division and he has learned that training is the key to success.
“I'm preparing myself for twelve rounds,” he says. “If the knockout comes, it comes, then great. But if not I'm ready for twelve rounds of whatever Berto will bring.”
The oddsmakers seem to think that Urango is going to have a difficult task in winning another title. With the fight little more than a week away, Berto is currently the betting favorite at -330 over Urango who is a +265 underdog.
May 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment