With the heavyweight ranks splintered, fans are looking for one fighter to emerge as the preeminent big man and on Saturday Madison Square Garden will extend that opportunity to Wladimir Klitschko (46-3, 41) and Calvin Brock (29-0, 22).  Klitschko already holds the IBO and IBF straps, and since he began training with Emanuel Steward he has emerged as the guy to beat. Outside the ring he has proven to be a good will ambassador that knows the full responsibility of his international title.  He is donating a portion of the fight’s profits to UNESCO, and thankfully he also negotiated for the match to be aired on HBO’s regular telecast to ensure more fans access.   

While all eyes look to Klitschko to rescue the division, Brock is by no means a slouch.  The former Olympian is recognized universally as the number one contender, he has established both skill and power, and the upcoming fight will be his third foray into 12-round territory. Yet Brock seems to be much more formidable on paper than he does in person. 

Speaking to reporters, he never became excited nor changed his monotone delivery.  First and foremost he thanked god.  Dressed smartly in slacks and a blazer he looked more like he had stepped out of a midday lunch meeting, as his Bank of America bestowed moniker the Boxing Banker would suggest, than a heavyweight in the final preparation for the biggest test of his career.  “It’s simple, I’ll win,” Brock said, indicating the accuracy of his jab, hooks and right hand.  “I can make a bigger man’s size his own disadvantage.” 

Even though last week Shannon Briggs brought one of the Alphabet Titles back stateside, Brock will certainly enjoy the endorsement of a hometown crowd and perhaps the added pressure of the long standing rivalry between America and Russia.  But Brock said he will not likely be caught up in the fervor of the crowd.  “I’m sure the crowd will let me know when a punch lands, but I’m focused and will not be moved by them.  I’m sticking to my game plan,” he said. 

Klitschko and company are not looking past Brock, but even Emanuel Steward feels that his man his by far and away a level above today’s heavyweights.  He compared Klitschko to the greats, and predicted an early night.  “He’s a perfectionist.  His hand and foot speed puts him up with the best in history,” he said.  “It will end with a knockout within six rounds.”   

Carrying himself with the confidences of a champion, Klitschko may not have made as blatant of a prediction as his trainer, but he admitted he will be looking for that big punch early.  “In many fights, if it goes the whole distance, you wait for the judges and there are always doubts,” he explained.  “To win in early rounds is better than a decision.”  Klitschko brushed off any talk of his critics with ease.  “My answer to them is my performance,” he added.   

Brock and Klitschko may be at the center of attention for the evening’s televised audience, but the under card boasts a pair of hotly contested match-ups that New York audiences can appreciate.  Junior welterweight Francisco Figueroa (13-2, 10) will but his New York State Title on the line against the undefeated Joey Rios (14-0, 6).  Both hailing from the Bronx, Figueroa has been calling the fight one for bragging rights but denied that Rios would be a tough challenge for him.  “He’s good but he’s no where near what I’ve been through.  He hasn’t fought anyone tough,” he said.  “We’ve sparred twice and Joey knows what happened.  I got in his ass.”   

Yet, since entering in with a new promotional team, Figueroa has spent his training in Miami.  He admitted that training in New York was much tougher.  “Scavenging for money, figuring out how I was to going to get to the gym, that’s how it was in New York,” he said.  And he is looking forward to finally coming back to New York after a two year hiatus from his hometown.   

Rios on the other hand, has remained in the same gym since his childhood.  A dedicated fighter he is unlikely to get caught up in the promotion of the fight, but understands its importance.  More than a week before the big night, fans were crowding into the Bronxchester Boxing Gym to get a glimpse at one of Rios’ last workouts and offer him some last minutes words of encouragement.  “All the support is great,” said the typically smiling Rios.  “It let’s me know I’m not alone.”   

Figueroa has predicted a seventh-round knockout.  “I’m a late slash early knockout guy,” he tried to explain.  Rios, upon hearing about his opponent’s convictions, simply shrugged his shoulders.  “It’ll be a good fight,” added during his cool down and stretching.   

A second New York State title will be on the line Saturday night, when Heavyweight Derrick Rossy (13-0, 8) takes on Shannon Miller (14-2, 8).  Although Rossy has knocked out veteran Gary Bell (22-4-1) earlier this year to capture the vacant title, “Shannon’s been in the ring since he was five years old; he’s got a lot of experience.  He has a lot of heart and drive, people like that are always trouble,” he said.  “But my movement and my jab will mess him up.” 

 

 

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