Ready for action
08 December 2008 – By Cormac Campbell
Pic on homepage courtesy of Ray Lennon
Irish light-middleweight star James Moore has returned to New York following his LA training camp ahead of Saturdays make or break clash with Yuri Foreman.
The Wicklowman was working in Freddie Roachs Wildcard Gym ahead of the clash with unbeaten Foreman which takes place on December 13 and can be seen live on Setanta Sports.
Speaking to irish-boxing.com World amateur bronze medalist Moore said everything has gone to plan ahead of the biggest fight of his professional career.
The camp was great and I am great shape for this fight, he beamed.
We did some serious hill running. We worked twice every day on fight tactics and if I stick to the game plan we will win. Foreman is not a big puncher but is very fast on his feet and with his hands. I really can’t follow him around the ring, I have to cut him off and work for 3 minutes of every round.
Acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead of him in Atlantic City, Moore believes that he has the tools and motivation to pull off what would be an upset victory.
I will win this fight because I am very hungry and focused. I know this guy, I’ve sparred him and I’ve seen a few flaws that I can exploit, he reasoned.
Most of the people in boxing think that he will be too fast for me but timing will always beat speed. Sooner or later he will walk straight into a shot. Foreman is ranked forth by the WBA and is in the top eight of the other three main bodies. I know what this fight means for my career and where it can lead.
The pressure is not on me as his team have already lined up his next fight against Santos for the World title. The fact that they are even looking past me has made me train harder.
In preparation for the contest Moore has sparred with former World Champion Roman Karmazin, unbeaten Scot Craig McEwan and notably fellow Irish prospect Dean Byrne.
And Dubliner Byrne is someone Moore expects to see breaking out in 2009.
Dean was a great help to me with training and in 2009 I think we will see good things from him.
