Nicholson fighting for recognition: thinks he deserves more respect
By ROYCE FEOUR
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Even more than the opportunity to become the International Boxing Federation's top-ranked contender, heavyweight Dannell Nicholson views his fight against David Tua on Friday as a chance to gain recognition.
Nicholson, who was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic boxing team and is 39-3 in his 8 1/2-year professional career, said other boxers have accomplished less than he has but received more attention.
"Like a lot of fighters, I haven't got the proper respect," said Nicholson, who will face Tua in a 12-round elimination fight at Texas Station for the IBF's vacant No. 1 contender spot. "I have never ducked anyone in my professional career. There is no doubt that this fight is a very important fight. ... This is where it begins. I finally got here."
Actually, the IBF ratings committee pays Nicholson a level of respect. The organization rates him as its No. 3 contender, and Tua is fifth. The IBF's No. 2 spot also is vacant.
But the odds on the fight differ sharply from the IBF ratings. On Wednesday, Tua was an 8-1 favorite at the Texas Station sports book.
Nicholson said he is not bothered by the fact that Tua was able to land an elimination bout in his first fight since losing a one-sided decision against Lennox Lewis, the IBF-World Boxing Council champion, on Nov. 11.
"I don't know what is fair anymore," Nicholson said. "I am not here to speak about what's fair. I'm here to fight. Is it fair? I'm not thinking about that."
What Nicholson and his trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, do know is that this is a significant fight.
"This is his signature fight," Muhammed said. "This is one we have to win to challenge for a world title."
The trainer said Nicholson is in "terrific shape mentally and physically."
Since hiring Muhammed after losing a 10-round decision to Kirk Johnson in 1996, Nicholson has won 15 consecutive fights.
"Out of all of the fighters I have trained, he is the most complete athlete," Muhammad said of Nicholson, a former high school basketball standout who said he received numerous scholarship offers. "He brings that skill level to the ring. He is an all-around athlete."
Nicholson's basketball career was curtailed when he was convicted of armed robbery and spent four years in an Illinois prison, where he learned to box.
Muhammad said he is fully aware of Tua's punching power, but said Tua (37-2) is perfect for Nicholson's boxing style.
"Tua is not going to change," Muhammad said. "He is a one-dimensional fighter with a left hook. If you stand in front of him, he'll knock your brains out."
While not possessing Tua's power, Muhammad said Nicholson "can sting you. He can keep you honest. He is more of a boxer. He has occasional power when he sits on his punches. They are not going to walk through his punches."
The seven-fight card is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in the Dallas Events Center. |
