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.”
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press
Discuss in Boxing Forum
Related Boxing Articles...
Unbeaten Andre Berto continues his run as WBC welterweight champion tonight at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida when defends his crown against two-time IBF light welter champion Juan >
Colombian knockout artist Juan Urango is healed from an injury to his left hand, back in the gym, and ready for his long-awaited shot at the IBF Junior Welterweight championship >
WBO NABO Welterweight titlist Shamone Alvarez entertained a hometown crowd last night as he turned back the challenge of Chicago's Germaine Sanders at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. >
There was action North of the border last night as Juan Urango regained the IBF Light Welter title with a wide points decision over local favorite Herman Ngoudjo at the >
Cestus Management's unbeaten junior welterweight "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis made a successful return to the ring on Friday, September 2nd with a wide 10-round decision over a game Marteze Logan.
Says Advisor >
Colombia's Juan Urango, the stocky, Tyson-like light welterweight now fighting out of Spain reintroduced himself to the boxing fraternity tonight with a stoppage win over Francisco Campos. The fight went >
With two devastating knockdowns and a swarming attack from rounds one through twelve, Juan Urango was not going to be denied in his battle to regain the IBF junior welterweight >
It was the most emphatic statement Juan Urango could have possibly made to the junior welterweight division, and after his devastating fourth round knockout of Carlos Wilfredo Vilches Wednesday night >
It was with great surprise that the #1 IBF contender Hermann Ngoudjo (17-2-0, 9KO) read the press release where former IBF champion Juan Urango (20-1-1, 16KO) claimed he was going >
Ricky Hatton has overcome an arm injury during training sessions for his January 20 Las Vegas debut and continues preparing for his HBO/SKY televised showdown with IBF Light Welterweight Champion >