Latimore ready for his own version of March Madness

By Derek Gionta: Throughout the United States, the month of March is known as March Madness, a time where 65 of the best college basketball teams play for the coveted NCAA National Championship. In this case, Deandre “The Bull” Latimore, of St. Louis, MO, will have his own version of March Madness and will enter a Final Four, if you will, with three other junior middleweights with the possible end result and goal of winning a world title.

Latimore, 20-2-(16), will face Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell, 25-2-(15), of Brooklyn, NY in a 12-round IBF eliminator bout on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights this Friday (March 19) at the Choctaw Gaming Center in Durant, Oklahoma. The two will be fighting each other for the second time in their professional careers. Their first bout in June of 2008 ended as a knockout victory for Latimore in the seventh round. All three scorecards at the time of the stoppage were 57-57.

The winner of this week’s main event will face the winner of next week’s Friday Night Fights main event between St. Louis’ Cory “The Next Generation” Spinks, 37-5-(11), and former Contender Alum, Detroit’s Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, 29-4-(17), who meet for the 154-lb IBF title. Spinks earned the vacant title, and St. Louis bragging rights, when he defeated Latimore by split decision a year ago. That was Latimore’s first major world title shot, and if all goes as expected, he could have another rematch on his hands. A rematch more eagerly anticipated than one would think.

With this big fight only a few days away Latimore caught up with secondsout.com to discuss his preparation for this fight, the last fight between he and Powell, and a possible rematch/showdown against Cory Spinks for the title that he was so close to winning.

Below is a Q and A with Deandre Latimore

DG: How has camp and training been going for you?
DL: Camp has been going great. I’m living back in St. Louis and we had a two-month training camp here. I train best when I’m here in St. Louis. This is my home and where I’m most comfortable. I’ve had some good sparring with a southpaw, Denis Douglin. He’s a young, undefeated pro.

DG: Can you describe your previous fight with Powell and do you plan to look for the knockout again?
DL: Our first fight was a pretty close fight, not as close at the scorecards said, but we were in his hometown of New York so that stuff happens. But I got the knockout and most importantly the victory. I’m looking to score another knockout this Friday night. I plan to apply the pressure and look for the same result as last time. I’m prepared and focused. Now I gotta go get it.

DG: Powell has two losses: yourself and Kassim Ouma. Both of you are shorter southpaws. Do you feel he has problems against shorter southpaws and if so why?
DL: Not necessarily, I just try to apply the pressure and never let up. After a few rounds in our last fight my pressure style caught up to him.

DG: Who is training you now?
DL: Jose Ponce is my trainer and manager. He has the full duty. We work very well together.

DG: A win would put you in a position to fight for the IBF title again. How much would it mean to you to get another shot just one year after you were defeated by Spinks?
DL: It means a whole lot. I’m excited about this opportunity. I thought I won my fight against Spinks but I have a chance to get the title. That’s my goal. It’s been my goal since day one.

DG: Is a fight with Spinks the fight you are hoping for, assuming you beat Powell again?
DL: It doesn’t matter if it’s Spinks or Bundrage. I just want another title shot. Whoever it is doesn’t matter to me.

DG: I’m guessing that fight would take place in St. Louis no matter what?
DL: Yeah definitely. Jay-Z has the Scottrade Center in St. Louis this week for a concert so we had to move this fight to Oklahoma. I’m keeping the title fight in St. Louis for sure though.

Latimore’s opportunity has come with the best of preparation. He started boxing at the age of 8, had over 200 amateur fights, won numerous amateur titles, and already has 20 wins as a pro, with a few minor titles already in his possession (Missouri Light Middleweight title, the WBC USNBC, and the WBF Intercontinental light middleweight titles). This 24-year old is well accomplished with larger aspirations well within his grasp. “I would like to get a major world title and start fighting other top guys for their titles,” stated Latimore. “I want to be mentioned with all the other top guys.”

Many fighters never get the opportunity to avenge losses in their career. In this case, Latimore is fighting Powell again, which gives Powell a chance to avenge that loss, and most importantly, a shot at the title if he wins. If Latimore should win, he may get a chance to avenge his only championship loss, and what better than a rematch in the same state, against the same fighter, for the same title: a title he came so close to winning just one year ago. Call it Déjà vu, call it March Madness, call it a man on a mission, call it Deandre Latimore’s second chance at championship greatness.

Friday night’s card will be promoted by Rumble Time Promotions, Warriors Boxing, DiBella Entertainment, and Holden Productions.

March 17, 2010