Filipino boxing sensation Denver Cuello has promised to live up to his tag as the ‘next Manny Pacquiao’ by ending his long wait for a world title shot with victory against WBC champion Xiong Zhao Zhong in Dubai next Friday.
Cuello, who is the WBC Silver Minimumweight title holder and the No1 mandatory challenger to Zhong’s world belt, was originally poised to fight for the vacant title in December.
But he was forced to step aside – for a fee – as Zhong became China’s first boxing world champion with a points win over Mexico’s Javier Martinez Resendiz.
Cuello (33 – 4 -6) went on to defeat Japan’s Takashi Kunishige to retain his mandatory challenger status, which he has held for nearly three years. He now has his world title fight he believes he earned long ago.
The 26-year-old has drawn plenty of comparisons to his highly-acclaimed compatriot Pacquiao – both because of their nationality and their explosive power – and he is ready to prove he is worthy of world champion status.
“It’s great being here in the UAE,” Cuello told Sport360?. “It feels like a home away from home as there are so many fellow Filipinos here and the climate is very similar. I really want to win the fight on June 28 both for me and my country.
“I am one hundred per cent ready, mentally and physically, for this fight. I have been waiting a long time for a shot at the world title – around three years – and I feel now is my time.”
He added: “Training has gone really well, I feel great. Zhong is a great boxer, a world champion, and he will be a hard opponent. It promises to be a great fight for everyone watching. But I’m confident I will be the next champion.”
If Cuello delivers on his promise and becomes the Philippines next boxing world champion, the comparisons with Pacquaio will only increase. “It’s an honour to be compared to Manny,” Cuello said. “He is the biggest sport icon in the Philippines and has achieved everything in boxing.”
And will he follow his compatriot into politics? “I don’t think so!” Cuello laughed. “I have my own business interests but I don’t have plans to go into politics.”
– VIDEO: Zhong in Rocky-style training for Dubai fight
Zhong will prove a formidable opponent, and the Chinese champion is confident he will end Friday’s bout with the belt still in his possession. Zhong, 31, became China’s first boxing world champion in December and as a result has been thrust into sporting superstardom in his homeland.
A projected 200 million people in China will tune in to watch Friday’s showdown, to cheer on Zhong and he is determined not to let his country down.
“It is a privilege to be here in Dubai to defend my title,” Zhong explained to Sport360?. “To be honest, when I first heard I would be fighting here, I wasn’t really sure where it was!
“But I’m delighted to be here and ready to put on a show for the fans and all those at home who will be watching on TV. I’ve trained really hard for this because Denver is a very good fighter but I am the champion and I will be the winner.”
There is a huge amount of respect between both fighters, as evident at IBN Battuta Gate hotel in Dubai at the official pre-fight press conference as Cuello and Zhong greeted each other with gracious handshakes and bows.
But while there is a mutual respect, it is sure to be a war inside the ring at Dubai World Trade Centre come showtime next Friday.
