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Crowning moment
By BRANT JAMES, Times Staff Writer
SPRING HILL -- When it's all over, when Jose Alonzo recalls his days as a professional boxer, he hopes to regale his grandchildren with tales of all the belts and titles he's won. The winning of the WBA Fedecentro super middleweight championship would not highlight the tale, but it would have its place. No one will argue the belt stands among the myriad of other titles in prestige. But if Alonzo captures the crown tonight at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, it would be symbolic as his first. "It's a belt," said Alonzo, fourth in the latest Fedecentro rankings, which rate fighters of Latin American decent who are early in their careers. "I don't care if it's the KFC belt." Alonzo, 10-0 with six knockouts, is scheduled for 12 rounds against Albert Albaladejo (8-4-2), whom he defeated in a six-round unanimous decision in June. "This means the world to me, to be honest," Alonzo said, relaxing at his parents' Spring Hill home. "This is the first step to bigger and better things, like a level. "Everything in life is a level. You go to high school, you go to college, you get a degree and then you get the job you want. "For me, this is a step toward a world title," he said, "and I know there will probably be a few more levels after this." Trainer Don Kahn, a well-connected fight-game veteran, is arranging those. Kahn said he chose Albaladejo because Alonzo would have to "prove to me and the world he can put on a great fight" and convince the WBA, WBC or IBF to give him a title shot in the next 16 months. Kahn said the winner of the bout can expect to debut in the WBA super middleweight top 12. If it's Alonzo, as he expects, the boxer should be in line for a championship fight in six bouts at the end of 2004. Albaladejo does not appreciate being viewed as just a speed bump along Alonzo's career path. "I deserve it too," Albaladejo said. "I've been dreaming of this, and I'm coming to get it." Albaladejo represents a level in himself. He presented the toughest challenge of Alonzo's career, testing his stamina in what then was his longest bout. Albaladejo's camp has tried to deliver a mental jab by telling anyone who will listen that the 33-year-old will knock out Alonzo this time. Alonzo, who claims he has matured greatly since the previous meeting, said he will not be baited. "I've never been in a situation to where I've been called out like this," Alonzo said. "Basically, I've taken it and I'm using it as something positive." Albaladejo has his own motivation. "I know I won that fight," he said. "They know it too." Albaladejo's new trainer, Larry Barrien, said Alonzo is susceptible the longer the fight goes and can be rattled. "My guy is more geared for a championship fight than the other guy," Barrien said. "He relies on power. "My guy relies more on boxing. (Alonzo) likes to come out fast and, if you touch him, he goes all out." Kahn has implored patience in all of Alonzo's previous fights, but said he is ready for whatever style this matchup requires. That means he is free to try and finish it quickly although that did not work in the previous meeting. "Whatever happens ...," Kahn said. "We will brawl with him, but we will do it smart. We won't do it crazy. We will combine boxing and fighting." Alonzo said he has an advantage because he has developed. "You can't teach an old man," Alonzo said. "He already knows how to box, and he has one style -- he comes right at you. "They say they're going to knock me out, but they said that last time and I still went six rounds. "I have more butterflies this time because it's the biggest fight of my career," Alonzo said, "but for the first time I'm physically, emotionally and mentally ready." -Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com
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