Cuello vows fight to finish
By JOAQUIN HENSON
Denver Cuello said yesterday his fight against WBC minimumweight champion Xiong Zhao Zhong of China won’t go the 12-round distance and promised he’ll be the last man standing when the curtains fall at the World Trade Center in Dubai this Friday.
Cuello, manager Aljoe Jaro, cornermen George Sol and Romualdo Mahinay and sparring partner Lionel Legada left Manila for Dubai last week. It is his first crack at a world crown since turning pro in 2004 and compiling a record of 33-4-6, with 21 KOs. Cuello was due for a shot three years ago but the chance kept eluding him because champions opted for less dangerous challengers.
Now, the time has come for Cuello to ascend the throne. “It won’t last 12 rounds,” said Cuello in Pilipino. “I’m not taking Zhong lightly. I respect him as a champion. But I’ve fought tougher guys like Ganigan Lopez and Carlos Perez and they went out fast. I know if I hit Zhong, he’s going down. He’s not quick or strong. If I can take punches from bigger guys, I don’t think Zhong will be able to hurt me. He stands in front of you in the ring and that makes him an easy target.”
Cuello, 26, said fighting Zhong, who is at least three inches shorter, will bring out the best in him. “I sparred with taller fighters who weighed in the range of 108 to 122 pounds preparing for Zhong,” he said. “I don’t think he can take my punch. He doesn’t throw too many punches, preferring to hit one at a time. I’ll bang his body or if his head is open, I’ll go upstairs. I don’t want to predict which round it will end. If there is an opportunity to knock him out in the first round, I’ll take it. All I need is one chance, one opening and it’s over.”
Cuello said he logged about 80 rounds of sparring in training for Zhong. A week ago, he scaled 118 pounds. Cuello said it won’t be a problem dropping down to 105. “I can lose four pounds in an hour while training,” he said. “I know my body. I don’t deprive myself of eating. I want to feel strong for the fight. I’m ready to go 12 rounds but I think it won’t go over six.”
Cuello said he’s dedicating the fight to his wife Rowena, their 3-year-old son Prince and their coming baby. His wife is six months pregnant. “This is the biggest fight of my career,” said Cuello. “I’m fighting for my family. I don’t want my children to experience what I went through as a boy living in poverty. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to become a world champion.” Cuello said he doesn’t know if his baby will be a boy or girl. “It will be a surprise,” he said. “I don’t believe in finding out before the baby is born. If the baby is a boy, his name will be Dwayne and if a girl, it will be Weng.”
Cuello said he can’t wait for fight night. “I’m very excited,” he said. “I keep imagining the referee raising my arm and my manager (Jaro) embracing me and holding me up in his arms after Zhong falls. It’s like a video in my mind. I want to make it a reality.”
Officials for the fight are virtual unknowns, putting to doubt their credibility. The referee is Hector Aful of Panama and the judges are Roman Denison of Panama, John King of the UK and Sergio Izonso of Italy. Supervising the bout is Patrick Cusick of Australia.
Angeles City-based New Zealander Bruce McTavish was requested by both Cuello and Zhong to serve as referee but the WBC ruled him out because he is a long-time Filipino resident married to a Filipina. McTavish has worked at least seven of Zhong’s fights.
Zhong, 30, has a 20-4-1 record, with 11 KOs. Cuello was at ringside in Kunming where Zhong outpointed Mexican Javier Resendiz to claim the vacant WBC throne last November. One of Zhong’s losses was a decision to Filipino Julius Alcos in Chengdu. “Alcos used an amateur style to outbox Zhong,” said Cuello. “Zhong has never been knocked out. His four losses were all on points. I plan to be the first to knock him out.”