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Hurricane
turns lights off on Mayorga
After
training for several weeks in
his hometown of Managua,
Nicaragua, Ricardo Mayorga was
headed for the Don King
Productions training camp
facility in Fort Pierce, Fla.,
but hurricane Frances had
something to say about that: the
shingles on the roof were torn
off and the power was knocked
out.
Today's Stories:
Hurricane
turns lights off on Mayorga
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And WBA
Cruiserweight champion Wayne
"Big Truck" Braithwaite, who had
been at the Fort Pierce camp for
five weeks, was forced to move
out. Both training camps have
relocated to Fight Club in
Miami.
"This fight means more to me
than it does to Tito," said
Mayorga after arriving in Miami.
"A lot is riding on this
fight-my whole future. I think
the fight will go no longer than
four or five rounds.
"I am convinced I will take him
down. If he plans to stand in
front of me and fight like a man
that will be tailor-made for me
because I am stronger than he
is.
"Tito has been on the canvas
more than any other world
champion in the history of
boxing and that is documented.
He will land on the canvas again
and will retire again."
Mayorga had a short layover in
Las Vegas on his way to Florida.
He sparred both days and "looked
very strong," said his manager
Carl King.
"Right now he is very relaxed
and completely focused on this
fight," King added. "He takes in
a few movies and is not worried
at all."
WBA Cruiserweight Champion Wayne
"Big Truck" Braithwaite was
sitting with his trainer and
nine others at training camp in
Fort Pierce with hurricane
Charlie looming overhead.
"We were sitting there and heard
a loud bang," said Braithwaite's
trainer Collin Morgan. "The wind
rolled up the shingles, took
them away and water started
pouring in-2 or 3 inches worth.
"On Monday we left to go to
Miami. Now hurricane Ivan is
coming. This is crazy."
Braithwaite, who usually trains
in New York City but wanted to
get away for this unification
bout, and Morgan have been
studying tapes of Mormeck's last
two fights.
"It is no secret the way Mormeck
fights," Big Truck said. "He is
going to come straight at me and
I have to be ready.
"Is it going to be a tough
fight? Of course it will be. All
fights are tough. You just have
to be prepared and I will be
ready."
WBC Cruiserweight Champion
Jean-Marc Mormeck is training at
the Don King Productions
facility near Cleveland, Ohio,
sans weather dilemmas. One thing
that is new to him is his
trainer. Mormeck has brought in
Kevin Cunningham, best known for
his work with Undisputed World
Welterweight Champion Cory
Spinks.
"We've watched some tapes of
Braithwaite," Cunningham said.
"We are adding a few minor
things that may help him out
like head movement, defense and
combinations. He's catching on
pretty good."
There is one dilemma between
Mormeck and Cunningham: they
don't speak the same language.
"He's got an interpreter and
everything is great," Cunningham
said.
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