With only 9 days to go team Gomez is just putting the finishing touches on the preparation for the great March 21st showdown against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko. Fitness and conditioning coach Mo Klatten sums up their work in training camp in the last three months. “We know that we’ve done our job very well”, says Klatten. “Juan didn’t miss one single session and has always been on time. He did everything I asked him to. I have never seen a fighter – especially a Cuben fighter – as disciplined and focused.” Klatten who also worked with former cruiserweight king David Haye in the past is confident that “The Black Panther” will strip the belt from “Dr. Ironfist”.
“Juan got what it takes and after all the work we’ve done he will be able to go 12 rounds at extremely high speed. For the Virchis fight we did a lot of strength training. This time we put more emphasis on conditioning and speed. Vitali will be surprised at what is coming towards him. When it comes to technique and speed Juan is the best heavyweight boxer in the world today. We know that Vitali is fast as well though he has lost some speed over the years. Also Vitali is definitely stronger than Juan and punches very hard. But Juan knows that and will be aware that Vitali doesn’t hit him. From what I’ve seen in training I call it a decision win for Gomez..”
Gomez Ready For Vitali Klitschko!
11 days before facing WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in Stuttgart (Germand) “The Black Panther” Juan Carlos Gomez is very confident regarding his chances for the fight. “I have never been this well prepared and this fired up for a fight”, states Gomez. “Vitali will be surprised to see what I am capable of. He thinks he can beat me up? I say it will be the other way around. I will destroy the legend of Vitali Klitschko.”
Asked why he will be victorious although all odds are against him at the moment Gomez replies: “I am a natural born boxer. I have been in the ring since I was eight years old. I have been world cruiserweight champion for four years; I am more experienced than Vitali though I am younger and faster than him. And I know exactly what to do in the ring. I will be too fast and too much to handle for the robot. Of course, I know that he can punch – but he will not even see me and you cannot hit what you cannot see.”
“The Black Panther” is proud to step into the ring and fight for the gold in less than two weeks. “This is the chance I have been waiting for”, adds Gomez.
“Nobody expected me to make it to a world championship fight again but now I am here and I will not blow this chance. My greatest dream is to present the world heavyweight championship belt to my father in Havanna. I can only imagine what will be going on in Cuba when I make it and become the first ever Cuban world heavyweight champion. I will be a national hero – and maybe they will even elect me president when Fidel is gone…”
Gomez and his team will hit Stuttgart this Sunday. “The hard work of preparation is done. From now on I will enjoy every minute. This is the first time in my long career that I am actually looking forward to a fight. It’s showtime! And in the end we will all here the ring announcer say: the winner and NEW heavyweight champion of the world ‘The Black Panther’ Juan Carlos Gomez!”