by James Blears
The great pyramid at Chichen Itza was a perfect backdrop against which Placido Domingo and Sarah Brightman, belted out some sweet decibels. But old buffers at Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology have denied the World Boxing Council an opportunity to hold the pre-fight weigh within a couple of hundred yards of it, in the build up to the much anticipated World title fight between Featherweight Champion Elio Rojas and Guty Espadas Jr.
Kukulcan Battle is being promoted by young Cancun newspaper owner and business tycoon Pepe Gomez and veteran boxing supremo Don King.
Undeterred, the fight is shaping up as a classic spring against autumn clash in which someone will fall. The 27-year old Rojas, originally from the Dominican Republic, applauded the warm welcome of the people of Merida, the birthplace of his opponent and former titlist Espadas.
Despite marching into the lion’s den, Rojas – eight years younger than the 35-year old Espadas - has vowed to go home after the fight with the green WBC belt firmly fastened around his waist.
Espadas, the son of former flyweight champ Guty Espadas Sr and himself a former featherweight champion nearly a decade ago, has been training since September for this fight and is in tip top shape.
He regards this fight as the most important of his lengthy career, and the key to winning it as neutralizing Elio's speed ringcraft.
"This is the most important challenge of my life so far,” explicitly states Espadas Jr. “I've put everything in to it and God will hear me. It's not important what nationality (Rojas) is. He's a man like me, who's chasing the same dream.
“My weight is great and I feel very confident. Winning the title again will mean even more for me, and I'll appreciate it all the more."
Rojas, noticeably smaller than his challenger but in pristine shape, has described the age difference as a significant advantage for him. The defending champion sees his challenger as being at the tail end of his career, but also acknowledging him as a true warrior and as a worthy opponent.
That said, the Dominican is pledging either a knockout win or a decisive decision, insisting that he will leave no doubt on Saturday night.
Both men smilingly posed for photos at the elegant Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Merida, which is known as the White City.
Though putting on a media-friendly face, Rojas didn’t attempt to mask his reluctance to release his grip on the famous green belt, which he and Espadas were holding aloft as the flashbulbs popped.
