By Rey Colon

Undefeated welterweight prospect Thomas Dulorme (14-0, 11 KO's), who returns to the stage on June 14 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, said he was not surprised to be ranked third in the world under the WBC and WBA - and added that when he becomes champion - he will represent Puerto Rico.

"I'll be world champion for Puerto Rico, which has given me everything I have and made me what I am. This is very serious. It's a really beautiful island that I owe my life, and my career, despite not having been born here but I consider myself a Puerto Rican. I was born in St. Maarten, Virgin Islands, 30 minutes from here. And my parents are Dominican, but does not mean that if I win a title I will go to the Dominican Republic or St. Maarten to celebrate. I will come to Puerto Rico to celebrate with my family where I lived as a child," Dulorme said.

And in an analogy about his nationality, several former champions and current champions of Puerto Rican descent were not born in Puerto Rico, as is the case of Wilfredo "El Radar" Benitez and Miguel Cotto, who were born in America.

Dulorme is trained by Jose Bonilla and said says he is ready to fight for the world crown but argued that his handlers are the ones to decide when he fights for the title.