LAS VEGAS, NV (September 22, 2008) World ranked junior middleweight Deandre “THE BULL” Latimore, training diligently in the summer heat of Las Vegas, took a break recently and headed to the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena for the second junior middleweight clash between Vernon Forrest and Sergio Mora on September 13th..
“As a fan I was hoping to see a good fight but truthfully it was all I could do to stay awake. It was just like their first fight, one guy threw a punch, and the other guy got hit with it. Folks around me were booing and then they stopped, turned out they had fallen asleep,” said the 23 year old Latimore.
“I remember Vernon ’s second fight with Shane Mosley and even his first with Ike Quartey a couple of years back. He actually was an exciting fighter at one point. But now, it’s all you can do to stay awake,” continued the St. Louis native.
Latimore, 19-1 (16KO’s), is coming off a seventh round knockout of Sechew Powell on June 11th in New York City which was broadcast on ESPN2. He is currently ranked # 5 by the IBF.
“Boxing fans saw what I could do against Powell, same thing would happen to Forrest. I just need the opportunity, just like the one Shane gave to Vernon the first time around. Hopefully, it’s something HBO can make happen. They always talk about wanting to put on great fights, Vernon and I would make a great fight.”
“Mora and Forrest could fight a million times and still make people fall asleep. Vernon needs someone who will really make him fight. It would be the perfect way for HBO to kick off the 2009 boxing season by making it happen in January, if not sooner..”
Said Jerry Giuliano, manager of Latimore, “Every time we talk to the networks, they always say they want to see exciting fights and they want new faces.. Deandre is a new face and he can flat out fight. Forrest is supposed to be the best in the division, then that’s the guy we want.”
“We’ll fight him anywhere he wants, Deandre will even go to Augusta , GA and they can set up the ring in Vernon ’s backyard.. Name the time and place, you won’t have to tell us twice.”
Latimore is given the “New Faces” treatment by Ring Magazine in their October 2008 issue sporting boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao on the cover. He is managed by Jerry Giuliano of Sandman Boxing Management LLC and promoted by Steve Smith of Rumble Time Promotions in St. Louis .
Froch/Pascal on Terrestrial TV
Two of the world’s hardest hitting super middleweights are set to put their respective unbeaten records on the line in a battle for the division’s most prestigious championship belt as Carl “The Cobra” Froch (23-0, 19 KO’s) squares off against Montreal, Quebec’s Jean Pascal (21-0, 14 KO’s), on December 6th, at the Trent FM Arena, in Froch’s hometown of Nottingham, England, to fill the vacant WBC title
The fight is presented by Hennessy Sports, in association with Groupe Yvon Michel, and will be shown live in England on ITV1.
“I’m very excited at the prospect of facing a top fighter like Pascal for the WBC belt. It’s something I’ve waited my entire career for,” said Froch, who endured a year of disappointment after potential big-name opponents decided to avoid the Cobra’s bite.
“Big credit for Pascal for taking the fight. I’ve had two so-called superstars flat out run from me this year in Joe Calzaghe, and Jermain Taylor. But Jean Pascal stepped up, and on December 6th, you’re going to have two undefeated fighters in their primes fighting for a world title.”
“It doesn’t get any better than that.”
But despite the frustration of having big fights disappear in front of his eyes, Froch is ready to turn the page on an aggravating chapter in his career, and begin writing a new one inspired by his own triumphs instead of others’ cowardice.
“It’s been very frustrating this past year having Inkin pull out twice, Calzaghe continue ducking me, and Taylor opting to fight Jeff Lacy in a potential eliminator rather than fighting me for the full WBC title.” Froch said
“There were times when it was really tough getting motivated to get in the gym. Really, what was I training for? But I kept faith in myself, and faith in my promoter, and things eventually worked out in a big way.”
For Pascal, the bout against Froch is not only his first crack at a world title, but also a chance to be the third Quebec fighter in eight years to hold the WBC title at 168 lbs., following in the footsteps of Dave Hilton Jr., and Eric Lucas.
“I’m very happy for the chance to fight for a world title, and to bring the WBC title back to its rightful home in Quebec.”
“It’s been a while since I last fought, so I’m very excited to be back in action. I’m more motivated than ever, and I’ll do whatever it takes to bring that title back from England.”
With two high-octane contenders vying for the WBC crown, Froch’s promoter Mick Hennessy knows his charge will have his hands full against the dangerous and determined Pascal, a gold medallist at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
“I’m so delighted that this fight has being made, and thankful that somebody had the cojones to step up and face Carl Froch,” Hennessy said.
“All of the top 168lbs fighters seem to be blatantly avoiding Carl Froch. So fair play to Jean Pascal and Yvon Michel for stepping up to take this fight.”
“I saw firsthand in Manchester just how good Jean Pascal is. He’s a very athletic, flashy, fast, powerful, and somewhat awkward fighter. And, you know against Carl he’s going to be more motivated than ever.”
Yvon Michel, Pascal’s promoter, believes that Pascal-Froch will mark a focal point in a historic revival of Quebec boxing.
“This is such a great time for boxing in Quebec. We have fighters defending their world titles, and legitimate contenders like Jean and Hermann Ngoudjo, on the verge of claiming world titles of their own,” Michel said.
“By the time this year is done, we’ll be looking at boxing history in the province of Quebec that will be the envy of the rest of the world.”
“I also want to thank Mick Hennessy for getting this fight made with us. We had very cordial, fruitful negotiations, and we at GYM are looking forward to a tremendous event on December 6, in Nottingham”.
According to Froch’s trainer Robert McCracken, his charge is more than ready to claim a spot on the world boxing stage as a legitimate world champion.
“Carl’s been put back a bit a couple of times this year with fights falling through, but he’s always ready for anybody, and any challenge.” Froch’s trainer Robert McCracken said.
“I think Carl Froch is the best 12 stone fighter on the planet, and he’ll prove that against Jean Pascal on December 6th.”