Ajose looks to make the most of his golden opportunity

[The_budweiser]

September 5, 2012 - Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment's, undefeated WBC # 1 ranked Super Lightweight contender, Olusegun Ajose (30-0, 14 KOs), is ready for his first main event, when he challenges, WBC #2 ranked clubber, Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KO's). On the line will be the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight Championship.

 

 

The 12-round bout will be televised this Saturday, Sept. 8, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

Read More: http://ringnews24.com/index.php/boxing-news/65044--ajose-looks-to-make-the-most-of-his-golden-opportunity.html#ixzz25cULMgHt

[davemurphy]

About two months or so ago, maybe longer, I heard an interview with Ajose on one of the Radio Shows, it was either Leave It In The Ring or ATG Radio, and I was really impressed with the patience he was showing with the WBC. It took too damn long, but at least he was finally rewarded.

 

P.S. One again we see one of my all-time favs, the VACANT INTERIM title. The ultimate contradiction, it's like calling a stretch of road a "permanent detour" smell//

[brooklynbrawler]

I'm kind of conflicted in this fight, because I've been championing Ajose for years now, since back in even Hatton and Witter's days as champions in the division.

Now he's up against the guy I consider to be the toughest fighter in the division in Matthysse.

Lucas is also a bit of a hard luck story, given I personally thought he beat both Judah and absolutely pummelled Alexander, but was on the wrong end of a couple of stinking decisions.

Neither guy really deseves to lose and I would really like both to make their mark in the division.

This is probably Olusegun's only chance to make his mark, while Matthysse maybe has the opportunity to come back again.

I feel he has the power, speed and accuracy to beat pretty much anyone in the division though, Olusegun included unfortunately.

[davemurphy]

I'm kind of conflicted in this fight, because I've been championing Ajose for years now, since back in even Hatton and Witter's days as champions in the division.

Now he's up against the guy I consider to be the toughest fighter in the division in Matthysse.

Lucas is also a bit of a hard luck story, given I personally thought he beat both Judah and absolutely pummelled Alexander, but was on the wrong end of a couple of stinking decisions.

Neither guy really deseves to lose and I would really like both to make their mark in the division. This is probably Olusegun's only chance to make his mark, while Matthysse maybe has the opportunity to come back again.

 

I agree that Lucas could absorb a loss and probably continue on with only minimal damage to his career, whereas for Ajose it's more of a do-or-die shot. The same powers-that-be that prevented him from getting a crack all this time aren't very likely to give him a second chance if he gets stopped by Matthysee. That's kind of why even though I like both fighters, I'm pulling for Ajose more.

[Meathead]

The sad thing is this hasn't got anything like the coverage it should have.

 

The press in the UK are making out the farce that is Bellew/Miranda is a good fight yet across the pond we've got two underrated world class fighters and the press are pretending like its not happening.

 

I may be wrong, but no one is showing this in the UK. Instead we've got Klitschko/Charr, Bellew/Miranda and Ward/Dawson. I love this sport but all of them are about as exciting as watching paint dry.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Boxnation claimed, last week, they were going to be showing it.

[irondave85]

Boxnation claimed, last week, they were going to be showing it.

 

They scrapped it in favour of Vitali-Charr.

[WelshDevilRob]

Six Questions with Ajose Olusegun

 

Written by Kevin Rooney Jnr

 

SIX QUESTIONS WITH

 

NO. 1 RATED WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER OLUSEGUN AJOSE

 

Olusegun Ajose vs. No. 2 Contender Lucas Matthysse

 

For Vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight Championship

 

This Saturday, Sept. 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT Live on SHOWTIME®

 

From Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

 

NEW YORK (Sept. 4, 2012) - World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Lightweight No. 1 contender Olusegun Ajose is finished waiting quietly for his shot at a world title.

 

The 32-year-old undefeated Nigerian, who has called out some of the top names in the 140-pound division, will finally get his chance when he faces WBC No. 2 contender Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight Championship on Saturday, Sept. 8, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

Ajose (30-0, 14 KO's), who has fought the majority of his professional bouts in the United Kingdom, made his United States debut last September on ShoBox: The New Generation with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ali Chebah in a WBC title eliminator.

 

An active soldier in the Nigerian Army, Ajose is looking to become the next ShoBox alum to graduate from the series and win a world title.

 

"I'm coming to America to win a world title," Ajose said. "After the fight, I'm going back to join the army and live and train in the barracks. That's the way it is. I'm a soldier. You don't become a soldier if you're not tough."

 

Before he returns to life in the Army, the 11-year professional boxing veteran is looking to make a statement in the U.S. against Matthysse (31-2, 29 KO's), one of the most feared knockout artists in boxing today.

 

Ajose answered six questions as he wrapped up preparation for his first shot at a coveted world championship.

 

What do you know about Lucas Matthysse?

 

"I know he's one of the toughest in the division. He's quite tough. He lost twice, but I think he was robbed both times. I know he comes to fight, but I only saw two of his fights - against Devon Alexander and Zab Judah. I didn't see his fight against Humberto Soto. There are more fights of me on YouTube than there are of him, so he probably knows more about me, but when we fight we'll learn a lot about each other."

 

Will your style cause a problem for him?

 

"He's never fought me before. Regardless of how many lefties he's fought, it doesn't matter. Every opponent is different. I can't say I have an advantage because I'm left handed. He's got his weak side and his strengths, and so do I. I've got more speed, more skills, more experience and that's what's going to make me successful against him.

 

"My advantage is my skills, my experience in the ring - not that he's had more fights here (in the U.S.) than I have. That doesn't matter. He may have fought more times here, but he's never faced anyone like me."

 

Matthyse lost split decisions to former champs Devon Alexander and Zab Judah and could easily be undefeated. Is this your toughest fight to date?

 

"I think he's the toughest opponent on paper, but I can't say that he's the toughest guy until after the fight. He definitely is on paper, but I don't know how that will translate in reality. Other than me, he's probably the toughest in the division. I'm the only one better than him. He's better than Danny Garcia, Zab Judah. Apart from me, he's the best.

 

"The big difference between us - it's common knowledge I've been deprived of this fight for so long. I've been ready to fight for a championship for four years. Now that I have this opportunity I'm not going to let it go. I better win this fight. I'm going to give everything I have to win this fight."

 

You've never been knocked down but he has 29 KO's in his 31 wins. How will you handle his power?

 

"Just because he can punch other boxers doesn't mean he can fight me. He has never fought me. When he punched Zab did he knock him out? No. Did he knock out Alexander? No. I'm at their level. Knock me out? That's not going to happen. It's going to be me knocking him out, not the other way around.

 

"Ali Cheba had an 80 percent knockout ratio and when he hit me it didn't hurt me. I proved my chin. I knocked him down twice but he didn't hurt me. I felt some of his power but nothing I couldn't handle."

 

Do you feel you need to knock him out?

 

"Obviously, every boxer wants the knockout to avoid the decision; however I'm not going to be looking for it. If it comes, great. I just want to win and I'm going to do my best to win. I'm going to fight in a way that will make it difficult for anyone to rob me. It's going to be clear decision. I am prepared to go all the way and make it obvious that I won."

 

Who do you want to face next in the 140-pound division if you beat Matthysse?

 

"Danny Garcia. That's who I want to fight, 100 percent. After I beat him I want Danny. He's been saying he's better than me; okay, come out and fight if you think you're a superstar. Show me you're good., because right now I have a bigger fish to fry, and that's Lucas. Lucas is way better than Danny. Right now I'm thinking about Lucas. After I beat him we'll think about Danny."

 

Ajose vs. Matthysse, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship taking place Saturday, September 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions and Arano Box Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

 

Read More: http://www.ringnews24.com/index.php/boxing-news/65060-six-questions-with-ajose-olusegun.html#ixzz25igb8i1T

[davemurphy]

Boxnation claimed, last week, they were going to be showing it.

 

They scrapped it in favour of Vitali-Charr.

 

Dave and Scott-

I can't say I think too much of that, if you mention your going to be showing something and your a Pay Service, then I hold you accountable for following through. I realize they have a budget and that a HW title fight is probably higher on the food chain, but they should scrap something in the future that they haven't promised to show to make up the difference. IMO, opting not to show something they've already agreed to is the worst thing a pay service can do.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Bunce made a massive deal out of them showing it last weekend (spent a good 10 minutes of a live broadcast talking about it). I think they dropped it due to Bailey's injury but it's poor form putting off a 60:40 type fight for a one sided bout.

[WelshDevilRob]

Ajose-Matthysse, Love-Valenzuela & Undercard Final Press Conference Photos & Quotes

 

LAS VEGAS (Sept 6, 2012) - The four boxers who'll appear this Saturday, Sept. 8, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. pronounced themselves fit and ready to go during Thursday's final press conference.

 

In what should be a terrific, hard-fought main event between two eager, determined and hungry fighters, undefeated Olusegun Ajose (30-0, 14 KO's) of Nigeria will face hard-hitting Argentine Lucas Matthysse (31-2, 29 KO's) for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.

 

Promising, unbeaten middleweight J'Leon Love (12-0, 7 KO's) of Las Vegas will risk his perfect record against Chicago's Ramon Valenzuela (7-1, 1 KO) in the co-feature.

 

Preceding Saturday's doubleheader on SHOWTIME will be two live undercard fights on SHOWTIME EXTREME (7 p.m. ET/PT): Daquan Arnett (6-0, 4 KO's) of Orlando, Fla. meets Jesus Tavera (3-2, 1 KO), of Mexico City, Mex. in a six-round junior middleweight scrap and Ishe Smith (23-5, 11 KO's) of Las Vegas takes on Puerto Rico's Irving Garcia (17-7-3, 8 KO's) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

 

Ajose vs. Matthysse, a 12-round fight for the vacant WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship taking place Saturday, September 8 at The Joint At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with DiBella Entertainment, Gary Shaw Productions and Arano Box Promotions and sponsored by Corona and AT&T. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will air live at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with middleweight prospects J'Leon Love and Ramon Valenzuela squaring off in a 10-round co-featured bout presented in association with Mayweather Promotions. Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

 

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $150, are on sale and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at http://www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

 

Here is what the SHOWTIME fighters, their promoters and representatives said during the final press conference at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:

 

OLUSEGUN AJOSE

 

"I'm grateful that I am fighting on SHOWTIME. I am thankful to be back on their network. I was on ShoBox last year in my American debut. This is an opportunity for me to show everyone what I've got. I give Matthysse a lot of respect. I think he is the best in the division. That makes me the best of the best in this division.

 

"The fans should expect fireworks. He is an all-out guy and I am an all-out guy. My advice to people is they shouldn't blink. Whatever power he has, show me. He has to land first. I am not worried about his power. I'm not even thinking about his power. If he hits me, I am going to hit him too.

 

"My aim is to come in, win the title and take it back to Nigeria. In Nigeria they think I am invincible. They think no one can beat me. I think so, too. I want to use this as an opportunity to teach younger fighters about boxing. There is a lot of talent there. I want to make boxing bigger than what it is now. It used to be very big. Boxing used to be the national sport for Nigeria and then football took over. Boxing is still big but I want to make it bigger.''

 

LUCAS MATTHYSSE

 

"Thank you SHOWTIME and thank you Golden Boy Promotions for this opportunity. What can I say? I am ready to fight. I am ready to win and take the belt back to Argentina. That is all.''

 

Read More: http://www.ringnews24.com/index.php/boxing-news/65064-ajose-matthysse-love-valenzuela-a-undercard-final-press-conference-photos-a-quotes.html#ixzz25mfDedEK

[davemurphy]

Bunce made a massive deal out of them showing it last weekend (spent a good 10 minutes of a live broadcast talking about it). I think they dropped it due to Bailey's injury but it's poor form putting off a 60:40 type fight for a one sided bout.

 

Totally agree, I know it's a HW title fight, but it's also a complete joke. They kind of insult the serious boxing fans who know the difference between a good competitive second-tier fight and a stinker on the elite level.