By Ben Jacobs
Miguel Berchelt (28-1, 25 KOs) was originally scheduled to fight Roman ‘Rocky’ Martínez in a mouth-watering Mexico vs Puerto Rico clash for the WBO super featherweight title this Saturday in Mérida, Mexico. Nevertheless, due to injury, Martinez has been replaced by England’s George Jupp (13-2, 4 KOs), who has a terrific opportunity to stamp his name on the division.
BoxingScene.com spoke to Berchelt via telephone following a public workout and the Mexican admitted to being let down by Martínez’s pull out while at the same time praising his new opponent Jupp.
“We were really looking forward to fighting for the full WBO world title but we knew from the start that he didn’t want to fight us,” Berchelt said.
“It’s difficult for you to get injured just one week before the fight, I think they had it pre-planned. But Martínez doesn’t matter to me anymore.
“His team protested from the start when we were made the mandatory contender and now I’m focused on fighting for the interim title and George Jupp is in front of me.”
When it became clear that Jupp would be the replacement, Berchelt immediately went to work at studying the Londoner.
“I’ve seen a few of his fights, I know he’s a good fighter. English boxers are known for having good technique and George Jupp is no exception, he’s an excellent boxer. But I believe in my training and I believe I will win on Saturday.”
Jupp is coming off the back of the best win of his career, a surprising victory over talented Mitchell Smith last December which resulted in him becoming the WBO Inter-Continental champion at 130lbs.
“I saw the fight against Smith, he surprised everyone in England with that win and that’s how he came up high in the rankings,” said Miguel.
“I have to respect my opponent and concentrate on my preparation. It is hard to have a late change of opponent, we had a strategy for ‘Rocky’ Martínez but, we have the base, the power, the hunger and dream to be world champion. We know we have a great fighter in front of us but with the help of everyone here in my hometown we will come through it.
“It’s a dream of mine to be a world champion and I’ve worked very hard to get to this point where I am, I’m not thinking about wasting this opportunity.
“We know that’s he (Jupp) is very quick, his record says he doesn’t punch hard but we are all human beings and I myself have been knocked out. Let’s hope this is a great fight and if I win by knockout, then so be it, if not I’m prepared for the distance.”