Hennessy Sports Boxing: Local Fighters Ready to Shine At River Cree

ByBoxing Press

On August 15, at Enoch, Alberta’s River Cree Resort and Casino, the stage will be set for the battle between undefeated British middleweight sensation “Dazzling” Darren Barker, 17-0 (11), and Larry Sharpe, 22-4 (10), of Pine Falls, Manitoba, but looking to steal the show will be local fighters such as super middleweight Jason DeLaronde, 8-0 (1), featherweight Omar Valdez, 4-2-1 (1), heavyweight Sheldon Hinton, 7-6-1 (2), and junior middleweight Trevor Moyah, 3-3-1 (1).

For DeLaronde, this is the biggest opportunity of his burgeoning career. “Fighting on this card is a big deal,” he said. “This is a chance to show some big names, like Darren Barker, what I’m capable of. I better bring my A-plus game to the table.”

DeLaronde will take on Eduardo Calderon, 4-6, a foe who, he insists, will not be underestimated. “It doesn’t matter what your opponent’s record is, they’re a fighter, and they come to fight, and win.

“Everybody has their day, so I have to up the percentages that the day will belong to me by training like mad, and leaving the gym every day knowing I gave it my all. That’s the only way the odds will be in my favour.”

According to DeLaronde’s trainer, Ken Lakusta, the undefeated prospect does more than just pay lip service when it comes to his training regimen.

“This kid is such a hard trainer, and he’s so fit. He moves well in the ring, he’s tough to find and he’s got some snap on his punches. He fights a lot like Roy Jones Jr.”

And while his trainer is quick to lavish praise, DeLaronde, a relative newcomer to boxing, isn’t about to let any lofty comparisons go to his head.

“I have so much room for improvement, and I need to keep learning. I don’t have any amateur experience, so I have to train twice as hard as these guys with long backgrounds in the sport. My feet can be faster. My hands can hit harder. I can be better. I can never ever keep myself from improving. It has to always be ‘Go, Go, Go!’”

Darren Barker vs. Larry Sharpe for the Commonwealth Middleweight title will be presented by Hennessy Sports Canada and The River Cree Resort and Casino, on Auguest 15, 2008. The bout will be shown live in Canada on Super Channel. Check local listings for details.

Tickets available by calling Ticketmaster Box Office on 780-451-8000 or book online at WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM

This Event is sanctioned by the River Cree Combative Sports Commission.