[Previous entry: "KO Kid Spina’s 1st co-feature"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Middleweight prospects in N.E. Ringside Radio Show corner"]
03/21/2005 Archived Entry: "Collazo Replaces Damgaard"
Jose Rivera to Face Luis Collazo in Worcester on April 2
WBA No. 1 Mandatory Contender Thomas Damgaard Withdraws Due to IllnessBrooklyn’s Luis Collazo Given Title Shot Against WBA Welterweight ChampionRivera
WORCESTER, Mass.—Highly ranked contender Luis Collazo has agreed to step into aworld title fight against World Boxing Association welterweight champion JoseAntonio Rivera on April 2 at the DCU Center. Rivera’s scheduled opponent wasforced to withdraw after developing an “infectious respiratory tract disease,with symptoms of pneumonia” according to a written report by an attendingphysician.
Rivera (37-3-1, 24 KOs) was to have met undefeated No. 1 mandatory contenderThomas “Lionheart” Damgaard (34-0, 26 KOs), who recently became ill whiletraining in his native Denmark. This is the third time Rivera and Damgaard hadbeen scheduled to meet. The match was postponed twice last year at MadisonSquare Garden, once due to the death of Damgaard’s father, which postponed theirApril 17 bout, and for a second time on Oct. 2 after Rivera suffered a handinjury.
Former unified world welterweight champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga steppedup to face Rivera on April 17, but Mayorga was unable to make the 147-poundweight limit, so the match was canceled.
Collazo (24-1, 11 KOs), from Brooklyn, N.Y., is a southpaw with astraightforward, exciting style. He floored highly regarded Felix Flores twiceand won a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 2.
“I was willing to fight Rivera when Mayorga didn’t make weight last year at theGarden but it didn’t happen,” Collazo said. “This is a fight I have wanted fora long time. All I asked for is an opportunity and now I’ve got it. I hate todisappoint all of Rivera’s fans in Worcester, but it’s Collazo time. I’m goingto win and be the new WBA welterweight champ.”
Don King Productions Vice President of Boxing Operations Bob Goodman said itwould be a mistake for Rivera to overlook Collazo.
“Luis stands right in front of you and comes to fight,” Goodman said. “It’simportant for Jose Rivera to stay focused as Collazo is a serious contender. Rivera does not want to underestimate him for coming in late. Collazo has everyintention of arriving in Rivera’s hometown to relieve him of his title.”
Rivera seemed unfazed by the news of Damgaard’s illness.
“I am 100-percent ready to go on April 2 no matter who the opponent is,” Riverasaid. “I just want to fight. It seems like the Damgaard match was never meantto be.”
Rivera became world champion by winning a majority decision over Michel Trabantin Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 13, 2003.
Both Rivera and Collazo were born in America and attribute much of their ringprowess to their boxing-rich Puerto Rican ancestry. Rivera has lived inWorcester since he was 16.
Replies: 2 Comments on this article
Dont underestimate Luis Collazo on April 2, 2005. He will be the new champion. He is focused, trained and prepared. He could possibly knock Jose out in the 2 or 3 round and surprise those who didn't believe in him..sincerely, uncle Willie
Posted by william collazo @ 03/28/2005 08:56 AM EST
S european casinos take great care of their multi-lingual, international clientele to try and offer a service superior to any other casino online
Posted by online casinos @ 03/26/2005 12:36 PM EST
