Bojado and Lacy set to shine on ShoBox

By Paul Upham: Undefeated WBC No. 29 lightweight contender Francisco "Panchito" Bojado, 7-0 (7), and unbeaten super-middleweight contender Jeff Lacy headline this Saturday’s "ShoBox: The New Generation" on Showtime at the Tropicana Casino Resort in Atlantic City.
Mexican 2000 Olympian Bojado faces Eleazar Contreras, 15-1-1 (6), for the vacant WBC junior welterweight youth title in a scheduled 10-round bout in only his eighth professional fight at the age of 18.

“I do not know much about my opponent. I have been training with five different sparring partners to be prepared for different styles,” said Bojado.

“The WBC junior welterweight youth title means a lot to me even if it is a junior title. I will be the first of the class of 2000 Olympic fighters to own a belt.

“Right now, I weigh 140 pounds. I will weigh 137 or 138 on fight night. It does not matter to me what weight class I fight at. I will fight at whatever weight my body feels best at. I feel comfortable at many levels. If I am ready and my camp thinks I am ready to take on a champion, it does not bother me what weight class my opponent is in. I do not care what his name is. I will fight him.”

Bojado has received advice from another Mexican, WBA junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas, who became a world champion at age 21.

“Vargas called me after my third fight and gave me some good advice. He told me to stay in shape and keep my weight down. His winning the title so young pushes me to do what he did at maybe an even younger age. It was a great feeling that he called and spoke with me on my cell phone,” said Bojado.

With an amateur career record of 168-15 (85), Bojado was identified early as a future superstar and is managed by Shelly Finkel. With an array of power punches, a huge Mexican fan base and the looks of a movie star, Bojado is being touted as the next Oscar De La Hoya.

USA 2000 Olympian Lacy, 5-0 (5), will face Adime “Scorpion” Bawa, 10-2 (8), a 24-year-old from Accra, Ghana at super-middleweight. It has been another difficult fight to put together for matchmaker Carl Moretti, who has had problems with opponents pulling out of fights with Lacy.

“It happens. I am in the learning stages. Any fighter with even a little talent has to deal with this,” said Lacy.

“I do get frustrated. I do not know how to prepare for some fights. I am mostly concerned when I have to fight a southpaw or a wild orthodox fighter. I just want to see what kind of style my opponent has. I only need to see a round or two.”

Lacy is keen to maintain a busy schedule if willing opponents can be found by promoter Main Events.

“I think fighting every three-to-four weeks like I am doing now is a good rate. I am not in a rush. They put opponents in front of me and I have just got to keep knocking them down,” said Lacy.

“The higher calibre of fighter that I am fighting, the fewer fights I am going to have because the fights will last longer. I can knock people out, but I can also box. I am looking forward to going rounds. I would love to see how I would feel in the 10th round of a fight. But, I am not going to hold back. If the guy takes me 10 rounds, so be it. I train10 rounds in Big Bear, California. I do not look for the knockout. I would rather have the rounds.”

24-year-old Lacy, who made it to the third round at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, is only concerned about his own preparation and performance in the ring.

“Panchito (Bojado) and I are hungry young fighters. I am not concerned with the fame and money aspect. I try not to think about it and stay focused on my training to be the best fighter I can be. I do not feel pressure. As long as I am conditioned, I feel ready,” said Lacy.

“I do not want to be over confident. I do not want to lose. I never underestimate my opponents. I always will be in great shape to fight. I do not feel the pressure to be a great fighter. I have the confidence in myself to do my best. I am well trained and ready for each opponent.”

Paul Upham
Contributing Editor