Collazo Training Camp Notes!

January 25, 2007 by Jason "J-Gon" Gonzalez With a less than two weeks to go before training camp concludes, former welterweight champion Luis Collazo is described by those around him as being in a “positive flow.” The 25-year-old Collazo, (27-2, 13 KOs) of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is preparing for what experts consider to be his toughest challenge to date. After losing a razor thin decision to Ricky Hatton in May of last year, Collazo steps it up when he challenges future hall of famer "Sugar" Shane Mosley (43-4, 37 KOs) for the WBC Interim Welterweight Championship February 10. "We are devising different strategies for Shane,” said Collazo. “We always make sure that we work on the same thing. (Trainer/manager) Nirmal (Lorick, along with Byron Oglesby) and I have one of the most unique relationships that you will ever see in the game of boxing. When you have two trainers that work in the capacity that we do, you will see that we complement each other, which in the long run, truly pays off.” Lorick describes this camp as, "The best camp that Louie has ever had. He is happy and more focused than ever. He isn't breaking camp to get tattoos, however that doesn't mean that he won't get a few after the fight. He is simply getting sharper and sharper." Oglesby concurred, "Camp is going great. We had a fantastic week of training and Louie has been looking superb. He is ready to go and, so far, everything is going according to schedule. Boxing is going great, his weight is on schedule and he is focused." So with the third week of camp in the bag, how did this week differ from weeks one and two? "We are getting more specific in the type of work that we are doing", Oglesby answered. "We have sparred well over a 100 rounds. Louie can do 10-12 rounds in his sleep. We are expecting aggression and great boxing ability. Everything is according to what Shane doesn't like.” With Team Collazo using several private gyms in the Fort Lauderdale area to prevent outside distractions, there has been some serious sparring going on. Edgar Santana, Jesus Valverde, Kendall Holt, Travis Simms, Jaidon Codrington and Randy Griffin have all been trading shots with the Puerto Rican southpaw in hopes that the title comes back to Brooklyn. "Louie has done all of the work with the big guys already," said Oglesby, "Now he must diligently prepare with the smaller guys and the in-between guys." When asked who has given Collazo the best work sparring wise, there was no definite answer, "They all give him good work. The boxing is on schedule," replied Oglesby. As far as Oglesby's assessment of Collazo's progress, "He is getting better and better. We can't ask for anything more. His level of sharpness continues to improve. His vision is on the target and on the prize at stake. This is by far the best camp he has ever had. So far now we are waiting till the bell rings." So with week four rapidly approaching, what's going to take place? "Nirmal is guiding this ship. The rest of the crew will be coming in to help out, with the rest of the crew being Victor Roundtree and Willie Vargas. They will help out with the rest of training," Oglesby explained. One person that is no longer a part of Team Collazo is Gary Stark, Sr. After the Hatton fight in May both Stark Sr. and Lorick parted ways after an unfortunate fallout. Stark Sr. would always wrap Collazo's hands and now that he is no longer working them, Willie Vargas will do the hand wrapping. Is Lorick concerned not having his usual guy do the wrapping, "Not at all. Willie Vargas is the guy that taught Gary Sr. how to wrap hands." Tune in next week for camp notes from week four, as Team Collazo endures what will be the toughest and most challenging part of camp. With February 2 as the cut-off date before leaving for Las Vegas, week four will determine the condition that Collazo will be in for the fight