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OKOCHA MAKES THINGS INTERESTING
Tuesday 8 October 2002
Series three of the HBF's Qualifying League is scheduled to kick-off on October 29, the tournament sure to receive some extra attention as the losing finalists and semi-finalists from the federation's feeder leagues make their debuts. One of the more intriguing situations that promises to develop is that in Group One. Already featuring the highly-regarded "rookies" Romy Alvarez and Mike Hanson, Nigerian slugger Omovo Okocha was placed into the group as the tournament's #1 seed. Okocha made a perfect 6-0 run through the African Boxing League before falling in the final to compatriot Ike Ibeabuchi. If his performances to date are anything to go by he'll pose quite a challenge to both Alvarez and Hanson in their quest for a top-two finish.
"One of us is gonna miss out," said Hanson when asked about the group yesterday. "I don't plan on it being me. I watched some of those African cards and I wasn't that impressed by either of those Nigerian guys. I think I go up against Okocha in December and I have to say, I'm lookin' forward to it. He's the #1 seed but he's never felt power like mine before, you know? The thought of taking out the top seed, that's just driving me harder and harder each day. I really can't wait for it."
Hanson has not been shy in the past where self-promotion is concerned so his comments won't come as any great surprise. Alvarez was more diplomatic with his opinion on Okocha, stating that from what he's seen the Nigerian will present him with "the biggest test" of his career to date.
"He's got some serious power," said Alvarez. "Pretty quick also. Wasn't luck that got him to 6-0 and he really pushed Ibeabuchi. That's gonna be a real tough period for me 'cause I'll have Okocha first and then Hanson five weeks later. Pretty clear those two fights gonna make or break my chances so I can't afford to slip up before then."
The Florida Alliance member has enjoyed being back in his hometown of Belle Glade for the last couple of weeks, enjoying some R&R after an at-times exhausting period of travel, training and competing. Alvarez (2-0(1)) faces the West Virginian Delbert Craw on October 29 and won't be taking him lightly, despite the fact that he'll go into the contest as a warm favourite.
"No chance I'll be going easy on him," Alvarez said. "Like I said, I can't slip up. Folks have been saying us "rookies" are gonna just breeze through this thing but once we start believing that, the first loss'll be right around the next corner. He's gonna want the win as much as me, probably even more seeing as he lost his first fight. But he worked his ass off in it and I'm sure he'll do the same 'gainst me."
Alvarez had little to say about the rivalry between Hanson and the Florida Alliance, his words brief and to the point.
"We're all still waitin' for him to back up those words with actions," said Alvarez, smiling. "So far, the dude ain't done much backin' up, see?"
Whatever the outcome, the three-way tussle between Alvarez, Hanson and Okocha looks set to be an explosive one...
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