Adrian Granados Plans To Entertain, Stun Amir Imam

By Ben Jacobs

One can sense the eagerness in the voice of Illinois’ Adrian Granados (16-4-2, 11 KOs) who would love to upset the applecart on Saturday night in Quebec when he faces undefeated, rising star Amir Imam (18-0, 15 Kos). 

Speaking to BoxingScene.com via telephone before flying north to Canada, Granados expressed his respect for his power-punching opponent but exuded confidence in his own abilities.

“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Amir, he is a talented fighter,” he admitted. 
“He has been looking very impressive as they have been bringing him along.  He has done what he has supposed to do whereas I have done things the old school way.

“Anyone who gets in there is dangerous.  We’ll see how the fight turns out but it looks like he has good power and speed.  I have some tricks up my sleeve so it should be entertaining.”

While Imam enters the contest as favourite, Granados can claim to have faced better opposition having mixed it with the likes of Kermit Cintrón, Brad Solomon, Frankie Gómez and Félix Díaz.

“I take fights at a drops notice and I’ve been on the end of a few bad decisions.  We’ll see what happens Saturday night - may the best man win.  But those decisions give me incentive to prove to these guys that I belong here.  I’m looking to take advantage of his high ranking.”

Granados has been rather active this year, this being his fifth fight.  He was, however, particularly disappointed with the result against Brad Solomon on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao.  He explained:

“This was a bounce back year for me because I was going through contractual issues with my former promoter.  I was in court but I have signed with good management now and we hope to keep going forward after Saturday.

“I know I beat Brad Solomon, it was a terrible decision.  I kept the pressure on him, if he threw two punches I threw three.  If he threw three or four I threw five or six.  I was confident before they read the scores out and he didn’t look too pleased.  That’s why I was very, very upset with the decision.  I cursed very loud because I was heartbroken.  It was a huge opportunity.

“I think I’m most known for the Cintrón fight.  I believe I won that as well - I closed the show and almost stopped him.  I had him hurt.  Teddy Atlas and ESPN had me winning.”