Kempo Chris
12-01-2003, 06:56 PM
Mayorga says he'll retire soon
The welterweight champion, who has become a fan favorite and will fight Cory Spinks in two weeks, says his desire to fight has dissipated.
BY SANTOS A. PEREZ
sperez@herald.com
Just when Ricardo Mayorga seemed ready to burst onto boxings exclusive list of marquee fighters, the reigning welterweight champion might not have further use for the sport beyond a couple more fights.
Mayorga plans to retire after his unification bout with Cory Spinks on Dec. 13 and a purse-rewarding match at 154 pounds next year, the fighter confirmed after a recent workout in Fort Pierce, where he is training for the Spinks bout.
''When one has the desire and love to do things, it will be done,'' Mayorga said. ``But that desire and love to be a world champion is not there because I have already accomplished it. Im not going to be one of those boxers who retires and then comes back. If I retire, I will not return to boxing.''
Mayorga, 30, insists his retirement talk is not a negotiating ploy at securing lucrative fight deals.
According to his Miami-based attorney, Tony Gonzalez, family is the primary reason Mayorga no longer wishes to remain fighting. Eight weeks of training in Fort Pierce is worlds apart from the comfort zone of Mayorgas native Nicaragua.
''He misses his wife and children tremendously,'' Gonzalez said. ``His brother was brought in for this camp so he could at least have family around him, but it is still difficult for Ricardo.''
If Mayorga (26-3-1, 23 knockouts) retires, it will come when he was penetrating the consciousness of the U.S. fight public. His two victories over Vernon Forrest this year, not to mention his brawling style in the ring and penchant for beer-drinking and cigarette-smoking, have pushed Mayorga closer to mainstream acceptance.
In fact, the Mayorga-Spinks bout is one of the headliners of promoter Don King's eight-world-title fight card at Atlantic City, N.J.
Mayorga, holder of the WBA and WBC 147-pound titles, will share top billing with world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, who will defend his crown against William Joppy.
With the Forrest performances elevating his profile in the sport, Mayorga plans to leave the welterweight division after his bout with Spinks, son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, and move to the super-welterweight/junior-middleweight class. His targets are Oscar De La Hoya or WBA/WBC champion Shane Mosley.
''When the moment comes, I will fight anyone, but yes, I would like a fight against Mosley or De La Hoya,'' he said. ``I know I can beat both of them.''
The welterweight champion, who has become a fan favorite and will fight Cory Spinks in two weeks, says his desire to fight has dissipated.
BY SANTOS A. PEREZ
sperez@herald.com
Just when Ricardo Mayorga seemed ready to burst onto boxings exclusive list of marquee fighters, the reigning welterweight champion might not have further use for the sport beyond a couple more fights.
Mayorga plans to retire after his unification bout with Cory Spinks on Dec. 13 and a purse-rewarding match at 154 pounds next year, the fighter confirmed after a recent workout in Fort Pierce, where he is training for the Spinks bout.
''When one has the desire and love to do things, it will be done,'' Mayorga said. ``But that desire and love to be a world champion is not there because I have already accomplished it. Im not going to be one of those boxers who retires and then comes back. If I retire, I will not return to boxing.''
Mayorga, 30, insists his retirement talk is not a negotiating ploy at securing lucrative fight deals.
According to his Miami-based attorney, Tony Gonzalez, family is the primary reason Mayorga no longer wishes to remain fighting. Eight weeks of training in Fort Pierce is worlds apart from the comfort zone of Mayorgas native Nicaragua.
''He misses his wife and children tremendously,'' Gonzalez said. ``His brother was brought in for this camp so he could at least have family around him, but it is still difficult for Ricardo.''
If Mayorga (26-3-1, 23 knockouts) retires, it will come when he was penetrating the consciousness of the U.S. fight public. His two victories over Vernon Forrest this year, not to mention his brawling style in the ring and penchant for beer-drinking and cigarette-smoking, have pushed Mayorga closer to mainstream acceptance.
In fact, the Mayorga-Spinks bout is one of the headliners of promoter Don King's eight-world-title fight card at Atlantic City, N.J.
Mayorga, holder of the WBA and WBC 147-pound titles, will share top billing with world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, who will defend his crown against William Joppy.
With the Forrest performances elevating his profile in the sport, Mayorga plans to leave the welterweight division after his bout with Spinks, son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, and move to the super-welterweight/junior-middleweight class. His targets are Oscar De La Hoya or WBA/WBC champion Shane Mosley.
''When the moment comes, I will fight anyone, but yes, I would like a fight against Mosley or De La Hoya,'' he said. ``I know I can beat both of them.''