MANCHESTER, Conn. (December 7, 2010) – America’s leading American featherweight, unbeaten NABF and NABO champion Matt “Sharp Shooter” Remillard, has targeted a 2011 world title fight.
The 24-year-old Remillard (23-0, 14 KOs), currently a promotional free agent, won all three of his 2010 fights by knockout. He has climbed the ratings systems to No. 3 in the WBO, No. 6 in the WBC, and No. 7 in the WBA.
“Ratings do mean something because I’m eligible in three major boxing organizations to fight for the world time,” Remillard said. “At No. 3 in the WBO, I’m so close that I need to stay ready in case I get a call. If either one of the two fighters rated higher than me (No. 1 Daniel Ponce De Leon and No. 2 Chonlatarn Piriapinyp) fight for another title, lose, or get injured, I move up and then I’m even closer to a mandatory shot.
“I may be the only person getting in the ring to fight, but it takes a successful team to win a world title, and everybody has to be focused on the same thing (prepared for a world title shot). My manager, Bret Hallenbeck, has done an outstanding job and I don’t think he’s received the credit he deserves. I’m very happy with my team and everything going on in my career. I will have a new promoter in 2011 that will help me get a world title shot.”
Due to promotional problems, Remillard only fought three times in 2010, stopping Rafeal Lora for the NABF title and Carlos Rivera in a NABF title defense and for the vacant NABO belt. In his last fight November 20, Matt overcame two cuts resulting from forearms to easily win an 8-round decision (80-72, 80-72, 79-73) against Oscar Cuero (13-3).
“This has been a tough year because of my promotional problems,” Matt remarked. “I would have liked to have fought more often; I’m a fighter and I love to train. I don’t have control over that, though. All I can do is get better each fight. I look at it as I’m another year closer to my ultimate goal – fighting for and winning the world title. It’s not going to be easy because my division is hot.”
Remillard’s stablemate Irizarry has successful surgery
It was erroneously reported that Remillard’s stable-mate, Addy Irizarry, was knocked unconscious in her last fight against Jill Emery, on the same card that Remillard fought Cuero at Mohegan Sun. Irizarry was taken out of the ring on a stretcher and to the hospital, where she had a plate inserted in her broken ankle during a 5-hour surgery. Emery’s punch barely grazed Addy who twisted her leg as the punch was thrown, falling to the canvas and resulting in a serious fracture. She is rehabilitating her ankle.
Despite having had only three fights for a total of 15 rounds this year, Remillard has become more of a complete fighter, improving his boxing skills while further developing an already lethal left hook to the body. “I’m also much more comfortable fighting in the ring having faced adversity – cut in two different fights – and gotten through it both times,” Matt added. “Now, I know getting cut isn’t a big deal and that I can take a punch with blood dripping in my eyes. I’m comfortable getting cut, or hurt, and I’ve learned that it’s all about adjusting to each situation. You can’t really train for that but, if put in that situation again, I know what it’s like.”
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