The chorus was unanimous. From manager Michael Pratt and trainer Brian Barker to the man who matters most, new World Boxing Empire (WBE) welterweight champion, `Deadly’ Denny Dalton, the same tune was being sung, “We want Zab Judah.”
Speaking to the new World Champion and his entourage after they paid a visit to Stabroek Sport last week to show off the two titles (he also captured the CABOFE title belt and is now the undisputed Caribbean welterweight champion) Dalton won in Trinidad, one got the impression that the challenge being thrown out to Judah, was not the usual theatrical gimmick to attract attention and possibly fuel a bigger pay day.
Dalton, Pratt and Barker were, if you can pardon the pun, deadly serious. They believe that Judah can be taken.
Pratt disclosed that the plan is for Dalton to remain a welterweight.
“If Dalton can easily make 147 then we want to campaign as a welterweight and our next target is Zab Judah,” he declared.
Pratt said before the fight Dalton was walking around at 160 and the management team succeeded in breaking him down to 147.
“We’re think that is his natural fighting weight that is how energetic and vicious he was against Placide,” Pratt said.
Speaking of the fight Dalton said:”It wasn’t that difficult.”
Dalton and his entourage criticized the performance of referee Winston Granger.
Dalton claimed he was bitten twice and butted once while none of the six trips Placide made to the canvas prior to the knockout was counted as knock-downs.
“We went into the fight with a strategy which was to let Placide carry the fight with Dalton coming on strong in the later rounds but Dalton in his exuberance carried the fight from 1-10,”Pratt said.
Barker, revealed that Dalton’s preparation was thorough and that his diet was supervised by Dr Emmanuel Cummings.
Barker too said that Placide fought a dirty fight.
“Ken was fighting dirty and I asked Denny to step it up and he did so. In round nine I said `This is the time take care of business’ and in round 10 he closed it off.”
“My goal was to become a World Champion. I feel happy now that I have achieved that goal. I’d also like to give God praise and thanks,” Dalton said, adding that he also wanted to thank his supporters, some of whom were in Trinidad complete with Guyana flags rooting for the man from the `Land of Many Waters.’
Pratt said he hoped to meet with the Minister responsible for Sport Dr Frank Anthony to discuss ways in which the government can help the sport.
“They have to help boxing. I hope to meet with the minister to discuss the possibility of building a world class gym here.”
Pratt pointed out that the Trinidad government gave boxing promoter Boxu Potts some TT$362,000 (approximately US$60,000) to bring off the fight card.
The Trinidad government gave TT$362,000 to make this fight happen so whether the paying public was there or not the fight would have taken place,” he said.
One fight did not take place and that was the Jizelle Salandy/Dakota Stone encounter after Salandy was ruled medically unfit to fight which effectively made the night’s proceedings a one-fight card.
Pratt is also calling on firms to help sponsor Dalton in his quest to bring further glory to Guyana.
“He does not have a job and in order for him to stay on top of his profession he has to get a sponsor,” said the businessman.
Dalton’s record now reads: 23 fights, 16 wins, 6 losses and one draw.