Mayweather lifts Asiku for Nov. 6 fight
Oct 24, 2009
A training stint with boxing icon Floyd Mayweather has boosted Jackson Asiku ahead of his world title fight against Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz on November 6.
By James Bakama
November 6
IBO featherweight title
J. Asiku v Herberto Ruiz
A training stint with boxing icon Floyd Mayweather has boosted Jackson Asiku ahead of his world title fight against Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz on November 6.
“I’m in great shape. The Mayweather camp in the United States was a real boost to my preparations,†said the Ugandan boxer from his base in Perth, Australia.
Asiku not only trained with Mayweather, but was also at the ringside as the five-time world champion outclassed Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.
“It was a great learning experience to be in the presence of such a superstar,†Asiku added.
“I definitely got some tips that will be of great help in the upcoming fight.â€
Asiku 25 (13kos) 3-0, will take on the vastly experienced South American in Sydney, Australia . Ruiz has in 42 wins knocked out 24 of his opponents.
The 32-year-old, who has lost eight times, is a former IBF Inter-Continental and WBC FECEMBOX bantamweight champion.
Asiku has been fine-tuning at Harry’s Gym in Perth, Australia, where he is managed by Craig Christian.
The fight comes as a great boost for Asiku, who last year looked on in frustration as two title opportunities failed to materialise.
An IBO title fight against South African Thomas “The Rock†Mashaba failed to take off due to promotion problems.
An even bigger title chance also went to waste. This was after WBA champion Chris John mysteriously backed out of a title defense against Asiku.
Asiku last fought in May when he defeated Australian Junmar Dulog.
He has held the WBO Asia Pacific, Africa Boxing Union, Commonwealth and IBF Australasian featherweight titles.
Asiku, 31, is out to emulate fellow Ugandan world champions Ayub Kalule, Boza Edwards, John “The Beast†Mugabi and Kassim Ouma.
Ouma was the last Ugandan to win a world crown. He grabbed the IBF light middleweight crown after beating American Verno Phillips in 2004. But he lost the title the following year.
November 6
IBO featherweight title
J. Asiku v Herberto Ruiz
A training stint with boxing icon Floyd Mayweather has boosted Jackson Asiku ahead of his world title fight against Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz on November 6.
“I’m in great shape. The Mayweather camp in the United States was a real boost to my preparations,†said the Ugandan boxer from his base in Perth, Australia.
Asiku not only trained with Mayweather, but was also at the ringside as the five-time world champion outclassed Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.
“It was a great learning experience to be in the presence of such a superstar,†Asiku added.
“I definitely got some tips that will be of great help in the upcoming fight.â€
Asiku 25 (13kos) 3-0, will take on the vastly experienced South American in Sydney, Australia . Ruiz has in 42 wins knocked out 24 of his opponents.
The 32-year-old, who has lost eight times, is a former IBF Inter-Continental and WBC FECEMBOX bantamweight champion.
Asiku has been fine-tuning at Harry’s Gym in Perth, Australia, where he is managed by Craig Christian.
The fight comes as a great boost for Asiku, who last year looked on in frustration as two title opportunities failed to materialise.
An IBO title fight against South African Thomas “The Rock†Mashaba failed to take off due to promotion problems.
An even bigger title chance also went to waste. This was after WBA champion Chris John mysteriously backed out of a title defense against Asiku.
Asiku last fought in May when he defeated Australian Junmar Dulog.
He has held the WBO Asia Pacific, Africa Boxing Union, Commonwealth and IBF Australasian featherweight titles.
Asiku, 31, is out to emulate fellow Ugandan world champions Ayub Kalule, Boza Edwards, John “The Beast†Mugabi and Kassim Ouma.
Ouma was the last Ugandan to win a world crown. He grabbed the IBF light middleweight crown after beating American Verno Phillips in 2004. But he lost the title the following year.