[kenyan_cheena]

EL UNIVERSAL

Friday 4 August 2006

OLIVARES THRILLS AGAIN

Story by Miguel Trelles

As if Mexican boxing fans didn't already have enough fighters to throw their support behind, another one appears to have emerged during the International Boxing League's tournaments. 19 year-old Ruben Olivares recorded his second stoppage victory in the featherweight division's Americas Championship tournament last night, both wins coming in round two. On June 22 he disposed of Colombian 2nd seed Daniel Blanco with a single right cross in a main event boilover in Bogata. Last night at Torreon's LaLaguna Auditorium Olivares decimated Panama's Carlos Mendoza, flooring him twice in round two before the referee stopped the contest at the 2:51 mark. Both knockdowns came from single, flush right hands that illustrated Olivares' impressive punching power, the first midway through the round and the second at the 2:20 point.

The amazing thing about Olivares' performances is that he's achieved them under a certain deal of duress. He campaigned at bantamweight in his first four professional bouts but when he joined the IBL his father Jesus, who is also his trainer and manager, insisted that he compete in the featherweight division. It seems Jesus is keen for his son to challenge the likes of Salvador Sanchez and Vicente Saldivar for the title of Mexico's best young boxer but Olivares revealed after his win over Mendoza that he does not currently feel comfortable fighting at 126. He said it's very likely that after his run in the Americas tournament is over he'll inform the IBL that he'd like to drop down to bantamweight, even if he ends up winning the Americas title. Olivares claimed the extra weight has lessened his power, which is quite a scary thought considering what he's done to Blanco and Mendoza. Regardless of what he decides, Ruben Olivares is a young boxer fight fans should keep an eye on. He has a fantastic future ahead of him.