Gary Shaw Boxing: Has Mayorga Done A Runner Before Angulo Fight?

Undefeated junior middleweight sensation Alfredo “Perro” Angulo of Mexico, has lost the scent of his scheduled next victim, former world champion Ricardo “The Matador” Mayorga.

The Angulo vs. Mayorga WBC super welterweight title elimination bout was scheduled to take place on February 14, 2009 on Valentine’s Day at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL and televised live on HBO.

However, word has leaked out that Mayorga has taken an extended smoke break from training camp and has pulled out of the fight to determine the WBC’s No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger.

“This is as unprofessional as it gets,” said Angulo’s promoter Gary Shaw. “We don’t hear he’s pulled out from his promoter or manager, just from everyone else in boxing. You have to wonder if he ever intended to fight at all.

“Mayorga didn’t show at the press conference in Florida and we have yet to see his mandatory 30-day we igh-in report from the WBC. Obviously it wasn’t a red cape he was waving, it was a red flag!

“But life goes on and we will make every effort to find a worthy opponent for Angulo to preserve his spot on the card and the HBO broadcast.”

Angulo, 14-0 (11), of Mexico, is riding a 10 bout victory-by-knockout streak dating back to 2006. The former Mexican Olympian is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBC and the WBO and No. 7 by the IBF.

Mayorga, 28-7-1 (22), from Nicaragua, has a resume that boasts victories over Vernon Forrest, Fernando Vargas and Andrew Lewis and world titles in the welterweight and super welterweight divisions.

Shaw will also be presenting Ali Funeka, 30-1-2 (25), of South Africa, the IBF’s No. 1-rated lightweight contender and mandatory challenger, making his U.S. debut, challenging world lightweight champion Nate Campbell, 32-5-1 (25), from Tampa, in the co-main event of the February 14 HBO broadcast.