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15 October 2011

Linares and DeMarco fight it out for vacant WBC lightweight belt

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
(Linares (left) and DeMarco(right), pic by Constantino Garcia)
Title on the line after Soto moved up to 140lbs

Two-weight world title holder Jorge Linares faces Antonio DeMarco tonight in a highly-anticipated WBC lightweight title clash on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins v Chad Dawson at the Staples Center.

25 year-old Linares moves up the weight for the fourth time in his nine-year career as he looks to win a third world title. The Japan-based Venezuelan has racked up four straight wins since losing his WBA 130lb title to Juan Carlos Salgado in a shock first round stoppage almost two years ago and is confident of claiming the title vacated by Humberto Soto.

“We came here to work hard in Los Angeles. This is the big leagues and I’m here to grow and I will crown myself champion," stated Linares.

DeMarco, also 25, is a former interim holder of the title, but failed to land the belt outright when he faced the late Edwin Valero in the former champion’s final bout. The Mexican retired after nine rounds of a one-sided bout against the hard-hitting Valero and now hopes to reverse that result against Linares in his second challenge.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity for this fight,” expressed DeMarco.

“The only thought in my mind is to win. I hope to live up to what my grandfather said and that is to be the best possible at what I do.”

Previous belt-holder Soto, 31, ironically picked up the title vacated by Valero after his passing, making four successful defences in a 15-month reign and has moved up to 140lbs in search of another world title.

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