By James Blears
Utterly unfazed by the vast fanbase of Erik Morales, and the cauldron like atmosphere of the Monumental Plaza De Toros, where scores of bulls are annually slain, Scotland’s Willie Limon is quietly and calmly preparing to engage in the fight of his life.
Always fit and conditioned, Willie has undergone ten weeks of grueling training and looks to be in magnificent shape for the ordeal to come. He put it bluntly, grinning: “I’ve been to some weigh-ins, but this one was just something else!
“There’s so many people here, it’s like Glasgow on Christmas Eve. Sure, Erik has got a big crowd cheering for him, but I don’t mind that. It doesn’t bother me because I’m 100 percent focused.
“I know what I’ve got to do. I’m going to work my backside off to get the result! I know what I’m up against. I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s a matter of putting that aside and getting on with the job.”
In a long hard ring career Erik has fought three wars against countryman Marco Antonio Barrera and three more against Manny Pacquiao. He’s fought 159 more rounds than Willie, who said:
“Those were a lot of hard rounds. Erik has been in so many wars, but you’ve got to give him full credit, because that’s what he is - a warrior. I’m hoping I’m just that bit fresher than Erik. I saw him in his last fight. He wasn’t moving around very much, but he’s still got quick hands and I’m going to watch out for that.”
Willie’s here in Mexico, just a few days away from Bi-Centenary Day, which’ll prompt the biggest fiesta of all time, he’s taking on one of the country’s most beloved fighters and it’ll be right in the heart of Mexico City, in front of thousands of partisan fans.
His response to this awesome prospect was short and sweet…namely: “Well, nothing else is happening in boxing. It’s all gone a bit quiet, and I’m relishing the challenge.”
