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Argentine tough guy Carlos Baldomir has vowed to rip Zab Judah's head off when the pair meet for Judah's WBC/WBA and IBF welterweight crowns at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday (Jan 7) night.
The 34 year-old challenger, 41-9-6-(12), speaking after an open workout at Gleason's gym yesterday was in confident mood and is looking forward to fighting at the world famous New York venue
"It is an honor for me to be fighting in Madison Square Garden ,"said Baldomir . "I am very calm, ready and there will be a big surprise for those fans who have not seen me.
"I am happy Judah is confident, but after two or three rounds, I will rip his head off. He is in for a surprise.
"Judah is not great at 147 pounds. He has only beat Cory Spinks. I am happy Judah is the best pound for pound fighter. When I beat him, it will add more to my success."
Carlos Manuel Baldomir finally gets the title shot he's coveted. But he will try to do it in his usual, low-key manner: He avoids the spotlight and controversial quotes.
It's been a long road for Baldomir (41-9-6, 12 KOs), but he will get closer than ever to his career goal when he faces Zab Judah (34-2-0, 25 KOs) on Saturday night in New York for the welterweight triple crown (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET/PT).
Baldomir has not lost in little more than seven years (against fellow countryman Alberto de las Mercedes Cortes). It was in that precise moment that he promised not to give up until he got a title shot. He's 17-0-2 since that defeat.
Hence the dream was born where Baldomir suffered that loss, in the the province of Santa Fe, where the great middleweight Carlos Monzon was born.
But his quest has made him a road warrior. In 12 of the following 19 bouts, "El Tata" had to pack his bags and fight abroad. Most of the times, those were uphill battles.
"I am used to fighting against all odds, and it wasn't by chance that I've remained at the highest level for so long; but this has also made other boxers avoid me," said Baldomir, 34. "I also had to undergo several postponements by the different organizations; for whatever reason, I was never before given a chance. But in the end, I think God compensated me, because now I will be fighting for three belts at once."
Baldomir welcomes the underdog's role against Judah.
Baldomir had to endure two World Boxing Council (WBC) elimination bouts, against Mexicans Jose Luis Cruz and Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Even though he has had long tenures at the top of the rankings, Baldomir could never land a title shot.
But that's history now.
One of the few boxers able to win in Denmark, England, Italy and Germany without anyone questioning his victories, Baldomir now has the jackpot in front of his eyes. He can land it by winning in Madison Square Garden's 5,000-seat Theater.
"Obviously, I am very grateful for this chance. Judah is a great champion and to be able to fight in New York is a huge thing," Baldomir said. "But I have been preparing for this opportunity for a long time now. This bout was even going to take place in September or October last year. And I was ready back then.
"Anyway, now I am even better trained. It's been four months of preparation, and you will see that in the ring."
Quite logically, Baldomir has faith in himself and predicts a victory: "If it is by decision, even better, because I will show everybody that this chance was no gift."
Baldomir is a low-profile guy, curiously just the opposite of his rival.
Judah claims he's focused on Baldomir but admits to coveting a bout with Floyd Mayweather.
Judah, without question one of the best fighters in the world, dared to say in the last few weeks that Baldomir would only "last me 30 seconds." Later, he said Baldomir would last three rounds.
"I understand Judah talks a lot, but I am sure he does it to create interest. Anyhow, I am only interested in winning the fight. Because if I win on Saturday, Floyd Mayweather will have to face me on April 8th and not Judah, correct?" said Baldomir with a smile, alluding to the fact that the fight between Judah and Mayweather already has been scheduled.
But Baldomir is not the only one asking questions. There are great doubts about the Argentine's style -- slow but intelligent -- and whether it can help him against one the quickest fighters today.
"We all know Judah is very fast with his hands and feet," Baldomir said. "But it is also true that everything is easier for him when boxers stay in front of him for two or three seconds. I don't intend to do that. My right hand will be in charge of keeping Judah far away from me."
Almost certainly, Baldomir is repeating what he was told by legendary trainer Amilcar Brusa, who has been helping him in the La Brea gym in Los Angeles (property of his Mexican agent, Javier Zapata) during the last few months.
"Baldomir has a tough fight. But be careful, Judah is not a welterweight natural fighter like he is," said Brusa, who trained Monzon during his prime. "I remember three years ago I was in the corner of another Argentinean fighter called Omar Weis, and we gave Judah a tough time."
Judah won that bout with Weis by unanimous decision, but Weis recovered from being down in the second round to finish the bout.
Baldomir knows this Saturday could become a historic day for him.
"Argentine boxing might remember me if I win on Saturday," he said. "After all, it would be one the greatest victories of all time, wouldn't it?"
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