Byron Rojas braves hostile territory again, this time as champion

Jun

Byron Rojas receives his strawweight title from WBA director Renzo Bagnariol. Photo by Jorge Torres.

Earlier this year, Byron Rojas caused a major upset when, as a 25-1 underdog, he traveled to South Africa and unseated long-reigning WBA strawweight titlist Hekkie Budler in front of his home fans by close unanimous decision.

Now he’s preparing to dust off his passport and once again go on the road. This time the Nicaraguan heads to Thailand, where he meets Knockout CP Freshmart on Wednesday.

Rojas (17-2-3, 8 knockouts) is respectful but confident regarding his opponent.

“What impresses me the most is his strength and that he’s always attacking,” Rojas told RingTV.com through Carlos Varela. “I think one of the strongest assets Freshmart has is the public that will be supporting him.

“The weaknesses I’ve seen are the overconfidence and his defense isn’t that good. I’ve prepared mentally and physically very consciously for this fight. I’m not taking Freshmart lightly and I think the pressure is going to be on Freshmart to do good in his country.”

In preparation for this fight, “Gallito” has de-camped to Panama City for six weeks to train at the famous Rockero gym. He’s working under the auspicious eye of Rigoberto Garibaldi, famed for his work with, among others, Guillermo Jones, Ricardo Mayorga and Rosendo Alvarez.

“That’s the reason I took the fight in Thailand ÔÇª Panama is a similar climate to train hard and train with a world-class trainer like Rigoberto Garibaldi,” he explained. “The training is hard but I feel I have improved on defense, flexibility, head moves. Panamanians are known to be sneaky fighters. I think that’s what Garibaldi has helped with.”

Rojas hails from Matagalpa, a large city in central Nicaragua. The recently turned 26-year-old had never left his homeland until his title win in March.

Understandably, he feels the Budler win has left him in good stead.

“I had a great experience in South Africa. Obviously that’s working in my favor for this second long trip,” he said. “I’m not afraid to go to a foreign land; a fight is a fight and my conditioning is good. … I’m very confident I’ll do good.

“I’m also confident having a world-class trainer who’s been all over the world, winning titles with different fighters in different countries, so I’m pretty confident.”

Garibaldi is specifically well versed on winning in Thailand.

“Most of my success with the great fighters I’ve had came out of Thailand,” Garibaldi said confidently. “My first world champion I had won the title in Thailand (Rosendo Alvarez won a split decision over Chana Porpaoin in 1995). I’m very confident.

“(Rojas) has something in his favor: He’s a humble kid and he trains so hard. Everything I asked him to do he did and more and that is an advantage against anyone.

“I have a plan. I’m not going to tell anyone. Watch the fight. Byron Rojas is going to put a beating on Freshmart, I guarantee that.”

Rojas and his team of five flew to Thailand on June 20 via Germany, enduring a near-24-hour journey.

To his credit, the third-year veterinarian student feels his victory has had a big effect on his life.

“I feel more responsibility to give a good example to young people in Nicaragua, not only in the ring but outside the ring,” he said. “I have to behave accordingly to the title I hold. I also know that it’s hard because I have to inspire more kids like me. I’m more conscious of that responsibility.”

Although a second victory in arguably the toughest away environment in boxing will be difficult, success would be hugely significant and worth the gamble. A Rojas triumph could legitimately see him lay claim to being the Fighter of the Year at the halfway point. Admittedly, it would be difficult for a strawweight to garner such an honor come the end of the year.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright.