18.01.07 – On the strip the high rollers are rolling, the tourists are checking out the sights, and fight fans are taking in the big event atmosphere that no other sport can compare to. But for IBF junior welterweight champion Juan Urango, this isn’t a time for partying; it’s time for work as he readies for his first title defense this Saturday night against British superstar Ricky Hatton at the Paris Hotel and Casino..
“I’m here for business,” said Urango (17-0-1, 13 KOs). “The time for relaxing is after the fight. Now, the only thing on my mind is defending my title and beating Ricky Hatton.”
HBO World Championship Boxing will televise this highly-anticipated showdown beginning at 9:45 pm ET / 6:45 pm PT.
The 26-year old Urango has put in weeks of hard work in training camp for his first defense of the vacant title he won against Naoufel Ben Rabah last June, and despite Hatton’s larger worldwide profile, the hard-hitting Colombian is eager to show the critics that he should never be underestimated.
“I’ve trained to fight hard for 12 rounds, and I don’t think Ricky Hatton or any fighter in the world can keep up with my pace,” said Urango. “I worked very hard to win the world title, and I’ve prepared twice as hard to keep it.”
In Hatton (41-0, 30 KOs), the former IBF junior welterweight champion who is returning to the division in search of his old title, Urango will be facing an aggressive fighter who won’t run from a fight. “Iron Twins” likes the sound of that.
“Ricky Hatton is a true fighter and I won’t have to chase him like I had to chase Rabah,” said Urango. “I’m happy that we can just stand in the middle of the ring and prove who the better man is. The fans will love this fight.”