Dulorme on Ambriz, Sparring Maidana, Eyeing Perfection

By Ryan Maquiñana

Welterweight sensation Thomas Dulorme (13-0, 10 KOs) may sport a perfect record, but the Puerto Rican up-and-comer is quick to dispel any idea that he’s a flawless fighter.

“I still have a lot to learn in boxing,” he told BoxingScene.com this week ahead of his ShoBox showdown with Azusa, California’s Aris Ambriz (16-2-1, 8 KOs) this Friday.  “For this camp, I’ve been trying really hard to hit and not get hit.”

So far, the 22-year-old boxer-puncher from Carolina has received rave reviews from the public, especially all-important premium cable networks like HBO, which broadcast highlights of his spectacular knockout of Harrison Cuello.

“I’ve seen a lot of fighters, but Thomas is a complete fighter,” said Ricardo Rodriguez of Universal Promotions.  “He trains harder than anyone I’ve ever seen train.  He’s a perfectionist. His goal is not just to win, but to win perfect rounds.  That’s how he is.  He’s really special. He’s the whole package.”

After dominant triumphs over the resurgent DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley and Charlie Navarro, Dulorme has landed himself a spot on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation” this time around.

The past few weeks for Dulorme have also been momentous outside the ring, as the aspiring civil engineer graduated summa cum laude with a 3.5 GPA from The Lyceum Arts and Technology school in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, specializing as an AutoCad (computer-aided design) drafter.

“He’s learning English as we speak, and he’s so committed to doing everything the right way, that combined with his fighting ability, he’s going to be marketable,” Rodriguez added.

Dulorme sat down with BoxingScene.com and discussed where he currently stands in his career, what he’s learned from sparring former world champ Marcos Maidana, and how he feels about the early comparisons with the great Boricua welterweights.

NOTE: Rodriguez translated Dulorme’s words from Spanish to English.

BoxingScene.com: Originally you were scheduled to fight Jose Reynoso, but Aris Ambriz has come on as a late replacement. What do you know about your new opponent?

Thomas Dulorme: I’ve seen a little bit of video on Ambriz.  We’ve been studying his style, and he’s not an easy win.  He’s a good fighter, and he can punch.  I’m looking forward to fighting in California and we’ve been prepared mentally and physically, so we’re ready for Ambriz.

BoxingScene.com: For any fighter, getting attention from the television network executives is a major step toward advancing one’s career, and HBO has already shown enough faith in you to show your highlights on their live broadcasts.  Now you get the chance to fight on Showtime.  Is there any added pressure given the bigger stage and the possibility that one subpar performance, even in a win, could mean not getting a slot on T.V. in the future?

Thomas Dulorme: I don’t feel pressure at all.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity of fighting on a big network like Showtime. I’m going to do my best to show why I’m undefeated, and I don’t feel pressure to perform.

BoxingScene.com: In your last two times out, you defeated a former world champion and a left-hander no less in DeMarcus Corley, followed by a wide points win over Charlie Navarro.  As you move up the ladder, how do you think those fights will prepare you for even tougher ones down the road?

Thomas Dulorme: Being so young, I think the biggest thing to help my career is getting experience against good fighters like that.  Fighting two renowned fighters especially a good southpaw like Corley was great, because they really showed my fighting spirit and heart, and showed I can fight at this level.

BoxingScene.com: Before those two fights, you had knocked out 10 opponents in a row.  Corley and Navarro, on the other hand, broke that streak and took you the distance.  How was that transition as far as seeing your stamina tested compared with that run of short fights you had previously?

Thomas Dulorme: Yes, yes, it was different. I train for any situation of battle.  Even if they don’t fall, I train for 12 rounds in Puerto Rico.  I know they’re not all going to fall, so that’s why I train for 12 rounds, because when the time comes where I have to do that, I’ll be ready.

BoxingScene.com: I’m sure there’s something you have specifically focused on for this camp in terms of what you need the most work on as a young, improving fighter.

Thomas Dulorme: I still have a lot to learn in boxing. For this camp, I’ve been trying really hard to hit and not get hit. I don’t get hit a lot to begin with, and it’s hard to do that when you’re sparring a world champion like Marcos Maidana, so I’m learning something new every day.  For example, I think I can still improve on using my distance to stay out of my opponent’s punching range, and that’s something I learned in sparring with him.

BoxingScene.com: Puerto Rico has one of the best boxing traditions, especially in the welterweight division, with Wilfredo Benitez, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, and Miguel Cotto as of recently before he moved up to 154 pounds. Clearly those are some big shoes to fill.  How does it feel to be compared with those names at age 22?

Thomas Dulorme: That is where I want to be. There have been so many great champions from such a small island like Puerto Rico.  I would love one day to continue the tradition at this weight class and mentioned among them as a great champion.  I don’t see it as much as filling their place as much as I am carrying on the tradition.  That’s definitely what I’m fighting for.

BoxingScene.com: Last month, your team called out former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, with hopes for a world title shot at the end of the year.  Do you think you’re ready to take that step?  With Malignaggi likely going another route with some more established names, would you rather target someone else?

Thomas Dulorme: I’m just training with my mind on the 17th (of February).  I’m focused on this fight alone, and then after that, I’ll go over with my team on what my options are.

BoxingScene.com: Last question, Thomas. What can the fans expect to see this Friday on ShoBox?

Thomas Dulorme: It’s my dream to be a world champion in this sport, and I’m going to get closer to that on February 17th.  Whether I win by knockout or decision, I’m going to try to win every round.  I’m going to bring my best effort in every moment of the fight, and give the public a great spectacle to watch.

Ryan Maquiñana writes a weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSNBayArea.com). He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.