By Marlon Munroe
A 31-year-old Puerto Rican boxer by the name of Hector `Machito’ Camacho arrived in Georgetown yesterday.
The southpaw, Camacho, son of the legendary boxer Hector Camacho Sr., is here to keep a ring date with `Deadly’ Denny Dalton.
The two fighters will clash Saturday night at the Princess Hotel for the vacant World Boxing Foundation Intercon-tinental middleweight title.
Camacho Jr. yesterday promised to win while exhibiting “great showmanship and skill,” which he declared, “runs through my veins and along my bloodlines.”
Camacho’s father was a former five-time world champion.
The `Macho Man’ as Camacho senior was called, won 79 of his 88 fights in a professional career that started in 1982.
“I am here to win and fans can expect pure, slick boxing with speed, crisp counter punching and showmanship. I am expecting a tough fight so I am well conditioned,” Camacho Jr. said from his hotel room yesterday.
He promised that there will be fireworks and admitted that he was aware of Dalton’s ability to take a punch.
Camacho Jr. who is the World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light middleweight champion, said he will systematically take Dalton down by working the mid section.
He added that while his aim is to provide a barnburner, if the fight ends early, he will welcome that too.
At the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym in Albouystown yesterday, Camacho thrilled many onlookers with his speed and agility as he shadow boxed.
Camacho, who seems an elusive fighter, also worked the heavy bag which spurred many frenzied debates by boxing pundits over Saturday night’s outcome.
Dalton, yesterday predicted that “the package will explode” against Camacho junior.
He has always been known as a hard worker out of the ring and time and time again this ethic has manifested itself in the ring.
Now, after almost two years of inactivity, Dalton steps into the ring against a fighter who boasts a record as good as any contemporary top fighter in the fistic sport.
And, according to `Machito’ Camacho’s coach, Roblee Velez, he is even hungrier than his legendary father.
And by Camacho’s own admission, he respects Dalton but declared that the Guyanese will suffer his ninth defeat in his 26th fight.
Yesterday, Dalton called for divine intervention to assist him in coming out the winner in his fight against Camacho Jr., whose impressive record reads: 51 wins, three losses, one draw and 28 knockouts.
The Puerto Rican has a 50% knockout rate as opposed to 44% by the orthodox Dalton.
Dalton, a hard puncher with a big heart is not a systematic fighter.
While his inability to cut the ring off could become a problem, Dalton is a warrior who does not back down.
“I am fully prepared and you should just come Saturday and the package will definitely explode,” was his prediction.
Dalton admitted on Tuesday after his training session at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Gym with coach Lennox Daniels that he knows relatively little about Camacho Jr., but said he has put in the work to counter all that may come his way on Saturday.
Dalton, who referred to himself as a “roots man,” is urging Guyanese to come out and watch him take care of business against `Machito’ Camacho.
Trainer Lennox `Daniels told Stabroek Sport that he has been with Dalton for approximately two months.
Daniels said they were working on strategies for Saturday night when all things will come to light.
“Predictions don’t come from man, it come from the Almighty,” Dalton emphasized, adding that his performance on the night will signify the start of greater things to come from him.
Daniels, arguably one of Guyana’s better boxing coaches, said that he was working on helping his charge to cut the ring and yesterday could be seen urging Dalton to… “Move, cover the ring,” during the pad work session.
Saturday night’s main supporting bout will be another title fight.
The Shondell Alfred/Corinne De Groot rematch seems finally set to take place after a roller-coaster ride which saw several postponements.
Visits to the FYF yesterday saw Alfred looking the part. She seems to be in peak condition a fact supported by her coach Sebert Blake, and sparring partner Joseph Murray.
Alfred, though, stated that she is not focusing too much on the Canadian challenger but was confident that all will go her way when the result is announced.
Efforts by Stabroek Sport to reach De Groot, who is reportedly in the country, proved futile.
Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil was confident that she will win her second world title against compatriot Veronica Blackman. O’Neil told Stabroek Sport that her next focus is to win seven other belts this year and then look to unify the heavyweight division next year.
Also on the card will be Elton `Real Coolie Bully’ Dharry who fights whipping boy Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers.
Rogers was severely beaten by Dharry two years ago.
Amateur fighters Orlando Allicock and Dexter George, vying for a spot on the CAC team to Puerto Rico, will be involved in a four-round box off Saturday night to see who will make it on the team’s roster.
