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BOXING - NAMES RELEASED OF DAYA NUEVA OPPONENTS

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Kevin Reardon / 2009-11-24 10:23:36

Names of opponents are slowly being released for the two upcoming boxing shows in Valencia and Daya Nuevo on 11 December. In Valencia, world number two female welterweight Anna Ingman who trains in Torrevieja, will meet Latvian Natalija Dolgova while former world strongest man Arild Haugen, making his heavyweight debut, will take on Pavels Dolgovs.

Both boxers are managed by Torrevieja promoter Ulf Johansen as of course is Emiliano Casal who is also on the bill facing Londoner Mark Smith. Having not won a fight in ten years I made light of Smith’s creditability as an opponent for Casal so was both delighted and surprised when an email landed on my desk from the fighter himself. He turns my article on it’s head and what he has to say makes a great deal of sense. As such I have decided to attach his letter below……

“Emiliano Casal Bout”

Hi there, just came across your article in The Leader (289) so I thought I’d pass a couple of my thoughts on. I am aware of my limitations as a fighter and that I am being brought in as an opponent for this bout, giving away natural weight. I can only imagine that his promoter does not have great faith in him, he has always been matched against losing fighters in his career.

For my part I have trained hard, am in good shape and am looking forward to a great contest.

You don't need to tell me my statistical record is not in credit, but if you delve a bit further you do owe me some more respect. People in my position, a journeyman get matched tough, as in this case being put in against a champion at the weight above. Nevertheless if you look at my record this Argentine is one of my easier fights.

I have previously fought 7 'world' champions. On top of that I have fought 8 domestic/European champions over 6 different weight divisions, as well a whole host of other lesser champions and amateur stars. Nearly all of these fights have gone the distance, normally at short notice and always in their back yard.

The point is I’m a decent fighter, you could not have my experience and clashed against this quality of fighter if you were not. Unfortunately I am normally matched against champions that I am good enough to give a decent test to but ultimately not good enough to beat, especially away from home.

I’ve fought twice as many champions as this fella has had birthdays! I genuinely feel he is a significant step down from my usual opponents in the licensed professionals, and this is one reason I have agreed to take this fight for less than a third of what I was earning 10 years ago! Nevertheless I imagine it will be very hard to get a decision in his backyard, and I need to accept while we are of a similar age, I have a lot more miles on the clock!

Kind regards Marc Smith.

I am grateful to Marc for putting the record straight and if nothing else his words will ensure that in future I will also look at the strength of opponents before assessing a boxers record.

Billed as The Night of the Gladiators in Daya Nueva, also on 11 December at the town’s sports centre, the opponents have now also been released for Kiko Martinez, Ricky Pow and Armando Candel. The former European Champion will fight well travelled Nicaraguan Super bantamweight Henry Lipton. The south American was unfortunate to lose on points to Jerome Thomas in Paris recently.

Thomas is reckoned to be one of Europe’s most promising talents. Candel will meet Moroccan Mehdi Amar who’s last outing was a points defeat against Medhi Bouadla for the French Super Middleweight title. A Moroccan light heavyweight, Mustafa Chadilioua,  is also the opponent for Torrevieja’s Ricky Pow who will be making his professional debut on the same card. Pow is currently working for promoter Chris Sanigar where he manages the promoter’s gymnasium back in Bristol.

The Daya Nueva show will start at 10pm on Friday 11 December and will also feature two young Brits making their amateur fight debut’s, Oliver Holroyd and George Barry, as well as three further semi professional contests.

For those enthusiasts who collect boxing memorabilia there will also be a free draw on the night which will take place during the half time interlude in which a pair of Kiko’s gloves will be given away to the lucky winner.