The Sweet Science 11.03.09: El Perro Is Clawing His Way To The Top

Posted by Igor Frank on 11.03.2009

Angulo takes on unbeaten Harry Joe Yorgey on the Dawson-Johnson II undercard this Saturday night. Can he rebound from his loss to Kermit Cintron?


Photos by Tom Casino / Showtime

2004 Mexican Olympian Alfredo Angulo, who currently resides and trains in Southern California, was on a fast track to stardom when he ran into a road block as he fought Puerto Rican, ex-welterweight champion, Kermit Cintron in Florida in May of this year. Cintron fought an inspired fight; he boxed and moved and delivered crisp combinations and then he moved some more, not letting his rugged opponent to set up his heavy artillery. Angulo pressed the action in the later rounds and had some troubling moments for Cintron, but did not have enough to close the show. Judges were in agreement and awarded a unanimous decision to Kermit Cintron. There were an extenuating circumstances; Angulo was really sick just a few days prior to the fight.

He could not hold any food in and came into the ring weak and dehydrated. His team suggested that he back out of the fight, but he wanted to honor his commitment and not disappoint his fans.

Boxing is an unforgiving sport; one loss could derail a career sending one from a lime light to obscurity. The crowd pleasing Angulo seems to have rebounded quite nicely; he knocked out Gabriel Rosado in two rounds at Primm, Nevada this past August. His second bout since the loss comes this Saturday on HBO.

"He knows he can't lose anymore," said Gary Shaw, Angulo's promoter and a father figure. "He knows he's got to look good on HBO, but he's got star power. I believe Angulo can fill a void because the Mexican people are looking for their next [boxing] hero. That's what really makes me believe he can be a superstar."

Not taking any chances, Angulo left sunny Southern California and moved his camp back east to get used to time and climate change. Action speaks louder than words; promoter Gary Shaw opened up his house for team Angulo while they are preparing for the November 7th showdown. "This has been great," Angulo said. "I love Gary like he's my dad. He's good for my career. And Judy (Gary's wife) is my second mom."

This weekend while in Las Vegas, I spoke to one of the top boxing trainers in Southern California, Joel Diaz, who trains his two brothers Julio, and Antonio, as well as a current light welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley. Diaz was called in to help in the corner of a newly crowned bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez who just took the crown away from a King Kong Agbeko in a twelve round thriller.

Growing up in a boxing family, Diaz understands the intricacies of sweet science. He believes that Kermit Cintron has developed a blue print on how to beat Alfredo Angulo. "If you don't stand in front of him," said Diaz:" And don't let him set his feet, he can be beat. If you stand in front of him he will take you out." Undefeated Harry Joe Yorgey demonstrated his abilities last time out when he knocked out previously unbeaten Ronald Hearns on Showtime televised card from Miami, Oklahoma. Yorgey does have the style and movement to give Angulo problems.

"I know they're looking at my record with ten or eleven knockouts. I know he will put pressure on me immediately with his foot on the gas pedal," said Yorgey. "He fights the same way. He will come at me looking for a war right from the beginning. I have to box this guy and be myself. On paper, this looks like a possible fight of the year."

Coming up in Philadelphia club shows, being part time fighter, part time construction worker, Yorgey took his career to a next level when he hired a new trainer Jack Loew, Kelly Pavlik's long time coach, and moved to Youngstown, Ohio for a full time training camp. Whatever happens on November 7th, Yorgey has given himself a best chance to win.

Last time I saw Angulo was over a month ago in Las Vegas as he worked out at the local Johnny Tocco's Boxing Gym with his trainer and confidant, Clemente Medina. It must have been at least one hundred degrees in side the small gym. I was sweating profusely just watching Alfredo throw punches non stop for forty five minutes. "You will see a new Perro!" said Medina smiling with satisfaction, after the work out was over. Angulo needs to win this fight to have a chance to fight for a coveted title and he is the favorite to do so on November 7th, but he is a humble young man and he is not looking past it.

"It is going to be a good fight," said Angulo, 27. "He (Yorgey) is a great fighter. He likes to throw a lot of punches so it makes for an interesting fight. Like always I will be applying pressure and throwing combinations." If you ever seen El Perro in the ring, you know he is telling the truth, if you haven't, I suggest you tune in November 7th, you will not be disappointed.