November 27, 1999
Telesco Vows To Keep Mom's Promise...
Beat Jones, Win Light-Heavy Title!
Ranked number two amongst boxing's major-three, sanctioning bodies,
light-heavyweight contender, David Telesco, who promised his mother shortly
before she died several years ago that he would one day win the world
championship, is in line to challenge for a world title shot. Telesco's
opportunity could come in January 2000 if he meets the world's "Undisputed
King of Champions," Roy Jones, Jr.
It was not too long ago I had an opportunity to speak with Telesco about
the possibility of fighting Jones. Telesco, a 30-year-old native of Port
Chester, Upstate New York, is one of the few fighters today that has some
type of power and respectable skills to compete with Jones.
Basically, Telesco, who turned professional in 1991, has a record of
22-2, 18KOs. His only two losses occurred during his first year in his 3rd
and 6th pro-bouts to Ernest Mateen (L 4, L 6). Mateen, was once a former
sparring partner of one James Toney, who lost the IBF middleweight title to
Jones in 1994.
Since then, Telesco has won his previous 18 fights, 14 by kayo with 10 of
them within four rounds.
Amongst the bigger names he has met, Telesco has also defeated Frank Tate (KO
11), who lost two world title bids to former WBA 175-pound champ, Virgil Hill
(L 12, L 12). Bo James, in a bid to win a world title several years ago, was
stopped by the man Jones defeated to win his first world title, current IBF
160-pound champ, Bernard Hopkins (KO 4).
Lastly, in his previous showing on October 22, Telesco knocked out Willi
Taylor (KO 11). Taylor, is the same fighter that lost a bid to win the IBF
175-pound crown to Reggie Johnson (W 12), who Jones out-pointed in June to
unify the light-heavyweight championship.
Between Mateen, James, Tate, and Taylor, the quality of Telesco's
opposition had a combined record of 102-25. Not bad, but considering their
most impressive victories did not over-shadow their horrid losses in world
title bids.
Nonetheless, Telesco feels he is ready to meet Jones for the gold.
"Right now, my attorney spoke to HBO to talk to Murad Muhhamed - Jones'
manger, Telesco said. "If M & M wanted the fight, they would buy the fight."
Telesco truly feels that his purpose is to capture the light-heavyweight
championship Jones has held twice in the past three years. Unlike the
opponents Jones has made look bad during his reign: Del Valle (W 12), Griffin
(KO 1), McCallum (W 12), Hill ( W 12), and Johnson (W 12), Telesco is
determined to not end-up like the rest. As well as, fulfill his promise to
his late mother.
"People look to say look at him, look at that fool. Won't make that
mistake - I will be the next light-heavyweight champ, of the world! I promised
my mom before she passed that I would be the light-heavyweight champ of the
world. It's a promise that has to be made."
Telesco, in 1995, lost his mother to a heart attack while he was in
prison for three years. His father passed from cancer in 1997. Telesco says
that if he does not have the energy to deliver home his promise, the greater
powers will.
"If I don't take may hand and punch him, my mom would take my hand and
punch him," Telesco says of the opportunity to defeat Jones for the world
championship.
"They did say that Telesco is the hardest puncher in this division -
light-heavy." They looked to me to spar with Carl "The Truth" Williams, in
his day, to prepare him for Tommy Morrison."
While Telesco himself has not looked overwhelmingly impressive in his
past several outings, he constantly hounds Jones of the type of guys he faces
asking, "how many real light-heavy's has he fought?"
"The only real light-heavyweight he's fought was Lou Del Valle, and he
dropped him," Telesco speaking of Jones' one-punch, knockdown against Del
Valle, the man Jones defeated to capture the WBA light-heavyweight crown.
It was July 1998, Madsion Square Garden was the site, as Jones was
floored by a sharp left-hand to the side of his head when he fought Del
Valle. Jones still dominated, winning 11 of the 12 rounds fought - taking
home two titles, not one.
"If he fell on Del Valle's punch, he's going to sleep - for real! Roy
Jones ain't no goddest to me. I don't care who he is. I don't care whoever
got that title."
Regardless if Jones is champion or not, Telesco is willing to fight
whomever to fulfill his promise to his mom.
|