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By Kevin Gleason
Posted: February 20, 2009 - 6:00 AM
NEWBURGH — Boxers never know when an opportunity will arise to accelerate their career and make a decent living. And when that moment arrives, fighters treat it like it might be their last chance.
Because it might be.
Luis Orlando DelValle, 22, earns one of those prized shots on Wednesday night at a place called the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Manhattan. DelValle (4-0, 3 KOs), the promising Newburgh Boxing Club super featherweight, will face an unbeaten kid named Tommy Atencio (3-0, 2 KOs). They will appear on one of high-powered promoter Lou DiBella's popular Broadway Boxing cards. The winner could well make the trek home holding the essence of a fight contract.
DiBella is well-positioned to advance careers. His talent-rich stable includes WBC welterweight champ Andre Berto and former titleholder Jermain Taylor. And in the bottom-line world of boxing, where a sagging economy and dwindling revenues are devouring purses, signing with DiBella can mean everything.
"He's a straight shooter,'' DelValle trainer Ray Rivera said of DiBella, "and he knows how to move a fighter.''
Told that DelValle is approaching the fight as a "job interview,'' DiBella said, "That's probably a good way of putting it.''
DelValle plans to make it an easy choice for the promoter. He's in the best shape of his career. He figures to have a huge advantage over Atencio in experience — DelValle is a three-time Golden Gloves champ while Atencio had a relatively undistinguished amateur career.
DelValle is certain he will win. But in boxing, where one punch can change a career, he's taking nothing for granted.
"This guy: He's not coming to lose,'' DelValle said. "I'm in a fight now.''
He's in a fight in more ways than one. DelValle is coming off a frustrating first year as a pro. His signing with Top Rank Inc., one of the top promotional arms in the sport, didn't net DelValle the expected riches. DelValle repeatedly had fights postponed and canceled. The parties severed ties after two fights.
Around the same time, DelValle's friend and roommate, heavyweight Nagy Aguilera, left the Newburgh Boxing Club in a dispute with Rivera.
And so DelValle, at least for now, is left with the sole responsibility of bringing a title belt to the NBC. He takes that responsibility seriously, working overtime with kids honing their game, always greeting well-wishers with a smile and a handshake.
"Every time I step into the ring, I don't step into it just for myself,'' DelValle said, wrapping his hands in preparation for a workout. "It's been tough, I've had a real rough start. But I'm ready for this, man."
He said he feels no pressure, only confidence. DelValle wanted a six-round fight to take advantage of his endurance, he said, but the Atencio camp insisted on a four-rounder. Whatever, DelValle said of the concession, "I'm pretty sure it's not going to go four rounds.''
DelValle might be just the boxer DiBella's looking for, a charismatic action fighter with tons of talent. Here's a kid who went from barely able to speak English upon arriving from Puerto Rico five years ago to smoothly handling the language and the duties as the gym's most endearing role model.
"I'm looking forward to having him on the show," DiBella said. "He's a talented kid. But you're also a performer as a fighter, and I'm looking forward to watching him.''
DelValle knows boxing careers run short. He knows another night like Wednesday could be a long way away.
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