By Salvador Rodriguez
Former WBC lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco (30-3-1, 23KOs) is preparing to travel over to California to begin training with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. DeMarco wants to face a top contender at junior welterweight, but hopes to get in the ring with Brandon 'Bam Bam' Rios.
There was some talk about DeMarco facing WBO champion Ruslan Provodnikov on June 14th, but a formal offer was never made and DeMarco had some issues with the fight, since Provodnikov is also trained by Roach.
"So far I don't have a formal offer [for my next fight], but I'll be back in the gym next Monday. We talked about the fight with Ruslan Provodnikov, but there was never anything formal presented. I prefer the fight with Brandon Rios," DeMarco added.
"The reason I prefer the fight with Brandon Rios, is because Ruslan Provodnikov is also with Freddie. I would not want to step aside and find a new corner. I hope to continue to grow in that area [with Roach] and I hope they can come up with something with Rios, but that is up to my promoter. I just have to get back in the gym and do my thing."
