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12/08/2004 Archived Entry: "New England Chatta"
New England Chatta
By J.D. Vena
Oliveira fighting for another chance
If you’re not a believer in “Sucra” Ray Oliveira’s chances of upsetting unbeaten British battler, Ricky “The Hit Man” Hatton in England, then you’re probably under the assumption that New Bedford’s (MA) Oliveira is receiving his shot at Hatton Saturday night, because he doesn’t have a shot.
It’s likely that Hatton’s people are expecting to meet another faded version of one of the jr. welterweight’s top fighters of the last decade. They simply have no reason to think that Oliveira is the “Sucra” he was a few years ago, the one who snatched the “0” from current WBA champ, “Vicious” Vivian Harris, or the one who whipped former kingpins “Cool” Vince Phillips or Charles “The Natural” Murray.
No, what Team Hatton probably expects of the former 2-time NABF champion is the fighter that appeared to not have it a year ago when he lost his IBU welterweight title to former welterweight contender, Elio Ortiz over a year ago. They expect a fighter that has had a horrific time trimming down to the 140-pound limit over the years and will be fighting at that weight for the first time in over three years.
Oliveira at the peak of his career against Vince Phillips in December 2000. The two combined for a whopping 2,989 punches thrown in a fight, the second highest volume to his 3,020 (a CompuBox record) with Padilla in '93
It will be a tough mountain to climb, especially being 10 years older to the day (October 6th), but Oliveira has climbed many uphill battles that his longtime, off and on trainer, Libby Medeiros is very familiar with.
“I knew he had it a long time ago, before he was a pro and he was being trained by Bucky Vincent (of the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club)” recalls Medeiros. “He always trained very hard and listened even though he sometimes didn’t do what we told him. But he had great skills, defense and most of all, toughness.”
Though he had showed tremendous resolve and willpower in a losing effort against Zack Padilla nearly 11 years ago, it was his upset win over former world champion Charles “The Natural Murray the following year that showed signs of his endless will to win. Oliveira broke his nose during his final week of preparation for the bout however, refused to postpone the bout. Instead he fought and defeated the Natural over 10 one-sided rounds in Murray‘s hometown. Two years ago he re-injured torn ligaments in his right knee during his preparation for Omar Weis, and though he limped his way through training, he still put forth a great effort in holding the crafty Argentinean to a 10-round draw.
Aside from the dilemma of fighting below the welterweight limit for the first time in over three years, Medeiros doesn’t feel that Hatton poses the kind of look that would overwhelm Oliveira as most feel will happen.
“I’ve heard a lot of kind things being said about (Hatton),” said Medeiros. “Some say he’s a lot like Rocky Marciano. Well, from what I’ve seen of him, he ain’t Rocky, that’s for sure. He has a lazy jab and sometimes he stands flatfooted. We’re going to take advantage of that. He has good skills but not the kind we haven’t seen before. Ray’s in terrific shape and he’s working very hard for this fight. He knows what’s at stake.”
What’s at stake is the kind of money he’s been hoping for since turning pro over 14 years ago. The money has eluded Ray for many reasons, many of which can be blamed on himself, having served two stints in prison for acts of violence outside the ring. He’s also had his problems with Medeiros and their time apart sometimes proved to be the difference in his fights.
Oliveira would often tell the CBZ that his splitting with Medeiros wasn’t personal, but that “he needed a change.” When he wasn’t with Medeiros, Oliveira would sometimes not look himself. His punch output wouldn’t be the kind of blistering pace he would set fight in and fight out and he just wasn’t sharp. Some were convinced that his efforts proved that he was a washed up fighter. That seemed to be the case when he looked listless against Ortiz last year. In the loss, it appeared that Oliveira was in fact, washed up.
“Even when he wasn’t with me, he’d come to me for advise,” said Medeiros. “I know Ray. I know his ups and downs, what he’s about and what he’s capable of doing. When a fighter is pushing himself for so long, some times, they can’t push themselves hard enough to work the way they need to. I think the break from me was really a break from himself. When he came back to me, we had a long talk. I told him how he had wasted his better years and that his youth was now gone but that he could do it if he promised to work the way he’s capable of working. He always listened but didn’t always follow through with the plan. I think he’s ready to do it this time.”
In Oliveira’s last fight on October 1st with Medeiros in his corner, he defeated tough Hicklet Lau of Miami in impressive fashion. Though he wasn’t fighting Vivian Harris, the punches were flowing in the same rapid succession that struck fear in CompuBox, but fortunately for Bob Connobio and company, the fight wasn’t televised, which is why many, including Hatton’s people, don’t know of what is actually left in Oliveira’s tank but he and Medeiros.
If Oliveira is capable of defeating the highly touted Hatton (37-0 with 27 KO's) in his backyard, then the paydays that escaped his youth may finally be within reach. But crossing the pond or even outside his native New England stomping grounds is practically uncharted waters for Oliveira. Of his 58 fights (47-9-2 with 22 KO’s), only four have been outside New England - three in New Jersey and a 12-round loss to former world champion Vernon Forrest in Las Vegas. Though he’s clearly the more experienced fighter, this is something completely new for Oliveira.
One fighter who has fought under similar circumstances is another rugged battler of the same mold from New England, who incidentally fought for the same title at stake Saturday night and in the same country. On March 11, 2000, Lowell’s “Irish” Micky Ward flew to England and derailed the unbeaten “Shamrock Express” Shea Neary in electrifying fashion. It was an experience that Ward would never forget.
“I remember being nervous just like any other fight,” Ward told the CBZ. “But I knew I had fought better guys throughout my career. I also knew I was in great shape. For those reasons, I felt confident and was able to keep my focus. Ray should probably feel the same way but he’s taking off a lot of weight. If he doesn’t have too much of a problem with the weight, he can beat Ricky.”
“Ray has been doing more running down in Connecticut with (former world title challenger) John Scully than he ever has,” said Medeiros. “He’s right where I want him - he’s being pushed and he’s pushing himself.”
If you’re one to believe that, then Oliveira has a chance Saturday night.
Coincidence or Fate
Though his fighting days may have come to an end, “Ice” John Scully is still involved in the game, helping out with the training of Oliveira and training “Bad” Chad Dawson for his upcoming bout with world title challenger, Carl “The Squirrel” Daniels (49-4-1 with 30 KO’s). Dawson (15-0 with 10 KO’s) will be facing a man who has been around as long as he's been around.
“Boxing is a small world,” said Scully. “Sixteen years ago, I was in the U.S. Olympic Trials in California and the U.S Championships in Colorado as a 165-pounder.. What’s funny is one of the top 125-pounders of the U.S. Championships was none other than Carl Daniels. Now 16 years later…here we are.”
Ray Oliveira (bottom, second to right) used to be trained by Bucky Vincent (top, second to right) but has also been working with John Scully (to Vincent's left), who also trains Dawson. The photo was taken in 1988 during the Eastern Trials. At the top left is Steve Manfredo, a former pro, Rhode Island referee and uncle of unbeaten contender, Peter Manfredo, Jr.
At yesterday's presser at Foxwoods Casino, the young Dawson sounded enthused about his first ever main event, which has been headlined "Bragging Rights." “I’ve trained hard for this fight. I was offered this fight and took it because to be the best I have to beat the best. Carl Daniels is one of the best. I won’t back away from any middleweight in the world. I’ve been working on a lot of different things in training camp with (head trainer John) Scully. I plan on winning this fight”
Daniels has ben in with a who’s who of the middleweight and jr. middleweight divisions, including Terry Norris and reigning champ Bernard Hopkins. Friday night's bouts at Foxwoods, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Entertainment & Sports, also features Rhode Island's finest, Jamie "The Hurricane" Clampitt, “Steamin” Josh Beeman, Joey "The Kid" Spina and the pro debut of the 2003 Pan Am Games super heavyweight gold medallist Jason "Big Six" Estrada,.
“Bragging Rights” will be taped live and air in primetime Saturday, December 11 7:30-10:00 PM/ET on CN8, The Comcast Network to 6.4 million homes from Maine to Maryland. CN8’s coverage of “Bragging Rights” will also be available on Comcast Digital Cable’s ‘ON DEMAND” service and online at www.cn8.tv. Overall, “Bragging Rights” will be broadcast on tape delay in up to 20-million additional households nationwide.
Tickets, priced at $75.00, $60.00 and $35.00, are available by calling CES’ corporate headquarters at 401.724.2253/2254, Foxwoods’ box office at 800.200.2882, or going on line at www.foxwoods.com. For additional information call CES or visit its web site at www.cesboxing.com.
New England Team photo provided by John Scully
