Yoan Pablo Hernandez (26-1, 13 KOs) is aiming to defend his IBF Cuiserweight
Title for the second time in a row. The Cuban made the title his own after
dethroning then champion Steve Cunningham last October, as well as winning
the rematch against the American just four months later.His next opponent is Canada’s Troy Ross (25-2, 16 KOs) who he will take on at the Stechert
Arena in Bamberg, Germany on September 15. Ross, who is the mandatory
challenger, has been part of the professional boxing scene for eleven years
and fought in five different countries. The IBF Title contender flew into
Germany on September 1 and trying to get used to the six hours time
difference between Germany and his hometown Toronto, Canada. Before the
fight he took some time out for an Interview.Troy Ross, your last fight was in February against Lukasz Rusiewicz which
you won by a unanimous decision. Now seven months on, how do you feel about
that fight and what will you take out of it for your upcoming bout?Troy Ross: I did really well during that fight. I proved that I am a
technically gifted boxer. Beforehand I have not been inside a ring for quite
a while, so I was still a bit rusty. Nevertheless, I was the dominant boxer
throughout the fight and Rusiewicz didn’t stand a chance. Now I am back to
my best and as good as ever.Two years ago, you already had a title shot for the IBF crown, against
then-champion Steve Cunningham. That fight ended in a loss. Do you feel
added pressure now that you will have your second chance for the IBF title,
which, given your age of 37 years, could be your last?Troy Ross: It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I am fully concentrated on
myself and don’t pay attention to anything else. I am in really good shape
and therefore I don’t fear anyone. I have matured since my last title bout
and gained more experience. That will show on September 15.Your next opponent, current IBF Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez, dethroned
Cunningham and has since won a rematch against him. You were actually
present during the rematch. How do you think he performed against Cunningham
and were you impressed?Troy Ross: I didn’t pay too much attention to that fight. I just know that I
will have to box smart. His strengths are his speed and power. I will have
to be careful with that. His weaknesses will show once he is inside the ring
with me.Could the fact that he is almost 5 inches taller than you be a decisive
factor?Troy Ross: I have always been quite small for a Cruiserweight. Throughout my
career, my opponents have mostly been taller than me. Therefore, I am used
to fighting bigger guys. His height causes me no worries whatsoever.How will the clash on September 15 between you and Hernandez end?
Troy Ross: As a person, I am always very positive. I know that I will beat
Hernandez come September 15. I will rip his title from him, which rightfully
belongs to me anyways.Tickets for the event in Bamberg can be purchased online at www.eventim.de
and www.kartenkiosk-bamberg.de.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
