“El Maestrito” ready to teach Ireland a lesson

PANAMA. Panamanian World Champion Ricardo “El Maestrito” Cordoba, is in Ireland to defend his WBA Super Bantamweight title on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at the O2, Dublin on Saturday March 21.

In an earlier interview with Boxing Press, the champion claimed he would not worry much about his opponent, Bernard Dunne, prior to fight night. “I know his name and record and I’m told that he’s a good technical boxer and that’s all I need to know for now,” said the champ who has compiled a record of 34-1-2 (21) since turning pro back in 2000.

Cordoba won his world title in September and this will be his first defense title. But his attitude should not be confused for overconfidence. The champ is well aware at what is at stake. “I want to be World Champion for a very long time and prove to the world that I am a great fighter so I can’t allow somebody like Bernard Dunne to get in my way.”

Nothing attests to Cordoba’s early development of his boxing skills more than his ring nickname is "El Maestrito" which translates as Little Teacher. This was given to him as a 10 year old when he already showed signs of prodigious talent and was regularly handing out boxing lessons in the ring to much older opponents. Cordoba turned professional at just 16, after getting tired of internal politics in amateur boxing. In his debut at the Gimnasio de los Leones, David, Panama, Cordoba defeated fellow debutant Hussein Sanchez with a knockout in the first round.

He quickly racked up 25 straight wins including beating fellow World Champion and Panamanian Celestino Caballero, whwn he was only 20. Fighting for the Panamanian Super Bantamweight title, Celestino was seven years Cordoba’s senior. Cordoba beat the already world-rated super batanweight champ by flooring him in the 11th round.

The last time an Irishman and a Panamanian clashed in the ring for a world title fight was Barry McGuigan’s fight with Eusebio Pedroza in London in 1985. McGuigan won the famous belt and the hearts of a nation when he dethroned Pedroza the long reigning featherweight champion,

Cordoba’s clash with Dunne will be for the WBA world super bantamweight title, but the Panamanian is still set to keep history from repeating. “Winning the world title was the greatest moment of my life, and I want to keep winning so that I become a hero in Panama just like Pedroza.”

Cordoba left for Ireland on March 10, accompanied by the world champion Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno (who won the WBA bantamweight title on 2008), coaches Celso Chávez, and Roberto Grimaldo. Cordoba ended his training session weighing 123 1/2 pounds.

"I am leaving very motivated, with total faith in my victory and sure that I will return to my country as a champion," he told reporters before leaving the country.

Neither Dunne's status as a local idol nor bad luck in previous foreign matches seem to worry him. "God knows why things happen. I failed in my first three tries, but this is my time to be champion, it has cost me a lot and I am not planning on losing the crown," he said.

Cordoba claims to have the formula to defeat Dunne. "I have seen his fights, there is no doubt he is good, but I have studied hi style and I am going with an effective plan to neutralize him," he explained.

"El Maestrito" expects a massive Irish backing for Dunne during the match, but is prepared to take charge of every single assault. He will dedicate his match to his sons Ricardo and Maikol, promising a straight defeat. "They are my inspiration and the reason why I work hard."

The fight will be shown on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. by RPC, channel 4.