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Baldomir: "After Gatti, I'll beat Mayweather"
Baldomir: "After Gatti, I'll beat Mayweather"
Baldomir drills Judah (pic Tom Casino)
http://secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=19166
By Jerry Glick in New York: The real Welterweight Champion of the World, Carlos "Tata" Baldomir, 42-9-6 (12), was in New York at The Argentine Pavillion, with his challenger Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, 40-7 (31), to announce their title fight scheduled for July 22 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.
The press conference took place at the cramped little restaurant on 46th street in Manhattan where Argentinean dishes of sausage, chicken, and short ribs were served while the participants patiently answered the questions that were tossed at them.
The difference between these two warriors and some other fighters was punctuated as the gathering was breaking up. Baldomir sat down to eat at the same table as this reporter. As Gatti was leaving, the Italian born, Canadian reared, fighter who lives in New Jersey, stopped to shake hands with the 147 pound kingpin who is from Santa Fe, Argentina. When the two future opponents momentarily looked at each other, Gatti, instead of grand standing and making threats, shook Baldomir's hand and said simply; "thank you." Now that's class!
On January 7th of this year, Baldomir won a convincing 12 round decision over undisputed World Welterweight Champion Zab "Super" Judah. On that night both fighters weighed under the 147 pound limit and as far as anyone knew Judah was defending his "world" title. So Baldomir is a champion and Judah is a former champion, right? Almost; through a twist on reality, they still called Judah the welterweight champion. Based on some technicality about Baldomir not paying a fee to the IBF, Judah went on to "defend" and "lose" the IBF title to "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather Jr.
To put it in perspective; imagine that happening to Ezzard Charles when he beat the very popular Joe Louis who had not lost his title in the ring; he retired with it. Imagine Joe Louis saying Charles didn't win the whole title when the Brown Bomber tried to take the title back and lost to Charles. Or Marvin Hagler saying Sugar Ray Leonard didn't take all of the Middleweight title, just a piece of it, then going on to defend "his" title. That is what happened to Carlos Baldomir.
"I definitely feel bad because I know I won the title in the ring," said Baldomir through an interpreter. "That title belongs to me, but what can I do?"
Mayweather is IBF champ and Baldomir will be defending the WBC title. Lou Collazo holds the WBA version. If Baldomir beats Gatti there could be an interesting scenario if the two men who defeated Judah get it on.
"I definitely like the fight, and if I fight the same way I beat Judah I definitely can win easy," said a confident Baldomir referring to Mayweather. "But I'm only thinking about Gatti right now."
Right now it is Gatti who stands in front of Baldomir, "It's definitely going to be a really good fight," Baldomir predicted. "He likes to go forward, and I have the same style. So the styles are really good, but I'm going to win because it is my time and Gatti's time has past."
When he took the podium, Baldomir said, "I have a lot of respect for Arturo Gatti. He was the best fighter pound for pound in 97, 98, and 99. Fortunately I'm the Champion now, I have to win. I have a lot respect, but I'm going to be the winner."
When Baldomir suddenly and surprisingly ascended the throne things started to happen for him back in Argentina, "There was a lot of people that greeted me when I got home. I was really impressed," recalled Baldomir.
Few in the boxing community expected Baldomir to beat Judah, but he did. Being a champion can affect one's life in profound ways. Suddenly your name is not an obscure, unrecognized word. A world title is something that can bring about great changes in your life. The only thing wrong is that this is boxing and you are only as good as your last fight. At this writing, both of these competitors are as good as they need to be.
"The thing that has really changed about me and my family is that now I have peace of mind of knowing that now I have the money to support them," said a relaxed Baldomir. "And they are safe now. Before I was winning and winning but the money was not the same (as it is now)."
"With the exception of Carlos Baldomir," said Mike Marley of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, one of the groups, along with Top Rank, HBO, and Caesars, that are involved in the putting on what appears to be an exciting fight. "The rest of us, our knees were knocking in Madison Square Garden as we awaited the ring announcer to announce that decision against Judah. It was fair, it was firm and the judges gave it to the winner, Carlos Baldomir. And that restored some badly needed integrity to boxing."
"I love my sport," began Arturo Gatti when he took the podium. "I'm honored to be fighting in New Jersey again," said Gatti. "Styles make fights and I want to thank him (Baldomir) for this great opportunity."
"I want to be known as an elite world champion because I'm tired of being known as the warrior, the highlight film, and all that stuff," added the former Junior Lightweight and Junior Welterweight Champion, who won the fringe IBA Welterweight belt in his last fight, a thorough thrashing of Thomas Damgaard. "The biggest thing that has happened in my life is the birth of my beautiful baby. I was fighting before for myself, but now I have someone to fight for," said Gatti.
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Originally Posted by SalTheButcher
But just remember, I told everyone how dangerous Baldomir was before that fight 
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