By Mark Vester
Elvin Ayala (18-2, 8KOs) pulled out all the stops in preparing for his bout with undefeated Sergio Mora (19-0, 5KOs) on October 16 at the Home Depot Center in California.
The New Haven Register reports that last week Ayala sparred with both Jesse Brinkley and Peter Manfredo Jr. at Manfredo’s home gym. Mora fought Brinkley and Manfredo, twice, on "The Contender" reality show in 2005.
Both fighters told the paper that Ayala has a very good shot at pulling off the upset.
"I had to keep my guard up with this guy (Ayala)," Manfredo said. "He was real sharp. I’m not in my best shape, but that doesn’t matter. I can still see what he’s got. His body shots. ... Beautiful. He has some pop. Mora doesn’t hit hard at all. (Ayala) doesn’t have to worry about that. He moves his head nice and throws nice combinations, short and fast. He could definitely beat this kid, if he plays his game and not Sergio’s game.(Ayala’s) body shots take a toll on you," Manfredo said. "In the later rounds, those body shots can really hurt Mora. And Mora’s not a 10-round fighter."
Brinkley said that winning a decision against Mora in California will be nearly impossible. He feels that Ayala needs to win clear rounds.
"If it goes to a decision, it’s going to be near impossible (for Ayala to win), unless he knocks Sergio down throughout the fight. (Ayala) could win 10 close rounds, and he’ll lose the decision. My advice to Elvin is to jump on Sergio from the start. Sergio can’t knock you out, so if you jump on him, I give (Ayala) a good chance. He’s got a nice shot."
Ayala's two losses were to David Banks, both by decision. Mora-Ayala will be televised live on ESPN Classic. Mora is banking on a win to land a potential title shot againt WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in the first quarter of 2008.
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