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TROUT ON VERGE OF TITLE SHOT
By Louie Burke
Like starting up a freight train from a complete stop, getting Austin and Abie fights this year has been slow, but hopefully will gain momentum as did a very productive 2009. Austin’s #1 world ranking with the WBA has been bitter sweet. Austin loves activity and will fight on a drop of a hat, but his activity level has been crippled due to the slow process of trying to pin down a fight with the Japanese, Nobuhiro Ishida, the WBA interim champ.
Our understanding was the winner of this fight would fight the winner between Foreman/Cotto. It’s been made clear to Austins management that he cannot take a "tune-up" without the possibility of losing his number #1 ranking. The frustration is that we were told the fight would be in January, then the end of February, then March, then April, now it’s supposed to be May 8th ! How in the hell do you prepare! The B.S. of boxing; nothing can be done about it but be ready right? Right! And he will be!
Abie Han will be fighting in Monterrey, Mex., March 27th against veteran Ulises Duarte, 19-21-1 on the Erik Morales/Jose Alfaro card which will be televised iNDEMAND. As always Abie is preparing hard for this figh, at this time we don’t know much about Duarte. Abies looking good in the gym after shaking off the holiday cobwebs. We were extremely disappointed that Golden Boy wouldn’t put Abie on the Escalante show. Abie and his sister Jennifer are ticket sellers in El Paso and we were willing to give up weight and experience to get them on the card, but to no avail. Again the B.S. of boxing.
2010 should be a breakout year for Abie, there are several good fighters in New Mexico and Colorado, at or around Abie’s weight that would be barn burner fights if the matches can be made. In order to get such fights, Abie is willing to give up a little weight and a lot of experience. As long as he stays healthy, I’m looking for him to have a great year.
David Rodriguez is back on track, fighting Daniel Bispo, 22-12 on the same card in Monterrey that Abie is fighting on. David had some action packed fights last year against Manual Pucheta and Robert Davis, but was derailed when he had to handle some personal issues, including the death of his sister. He’s promised me that he will stay focused this year and will stay busy, which will enable him to secure a big fight. "Stay true to the dream"
A huge thanks for the miniature handcrafted glove that Jerry Martinez and the o’le school Roswell Pugs, gave my brother, Rocky and Myself, keep up the good work!
As you might have heard, the Pros and Amateurs over 17 are no longer allowed to train at the Las Cruces PAL. There has been a clause in the city contract that was overlooked in the past. We are now in the process of trying to get that changed, so things can go back to status quo and we can train in our "home".
But not to worry, this just brings back the memories of when we didn’t have a gym and we had to work out in my back yard, in a makeshift ring, no padding, just plywood and garden hoses as ropes prior to my brother making his pro debut. And in ‘83 training and sparring in the backroom of the VFW on a tile floor prior to me beating Freddy Roach for the ESPN championship.
A special thanks to Larry Clark and Dona Ana Boxing for letting us use their facility. They’ve welcomed us with open arms and the favor is tremendously appreciated.