“I’ve been waiting for a fight like this for a long time,” Guzman said. “Nate is a good, experienced and smart boxer but I am faster and more hungry than he is. That will be the difference on Saturday night.”

“What’s strange about this fight is that I have three belts and I still don’t get any respect,” Campbell said. “All the other guys get the praises and respect, but I’m always the underdog. I’ve come to relish that role because I know what I’m capable of.

“It’s going to be a great fight,” the 37-year-old Cuban [Casamayor] said. “We’re both prepared and we’re two great warriors. I’m just so confident because of how well-prepared I am. I’m going to just take it round by round. Basically I’m going to do what I always do, break people down technically.”

“It’s a great honor for me fighting on Mexican Independence weekend,” Marquez said. “I prepared very hard for this fight because this fight is very important to me. This fight is for the Mexican people, my people, and I prepared myself very hard to win.

Joan Guzman Official Statement


By Joan Guzman: I was wrong and I apologize. There is no one else to blame for me not making the lightweight division weight limit of 135 pounds for my WBO, WBA and IBF title bout against Nate Campbell this past weekend.

No trainer is to blame. No nutritionist is to blame. No manager is to blame. No promoter is to blame. Put the blame on me, Joan Guzman, because I was completely at fault.

My conduct in this important matter was unprofessional.

I rolled the dice by coming in too heavy at the start of my training camp. I was able to get away with this many times before but, at age 32, my body shut down on me with 3.5 pounds to go. My metabolism rejected taking off so many pounds in a short period.

I apologize, first and foremost, to Campbell. I hope he accepts my sincere apology.

I apologize to all the boxing fans, his, mine and fans who just wanted to see two accomplished fighters compete.

I apologize to everyone in my native country, the Dominican Republic, and I am sorry I let you all down after you have given me years of great support.

I apologize to the Showtime network and hope I can earn their forgiveness over time.

I apologize to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and to all the great people of the Biloxi area.

I apologize to Campbell’s entire team from co-promoters Don King and Terry Trekas on down.

I certainly apologize to my team starting with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, the entire Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and to my manager, Jose Nunez.

I apologize to other members of my own team all of whom worked so hard.

I apologize to the WBO, to the WBA, to the IBF and to the Mississippi athletic commission.

I learned a lesson, a hard lesson, and I just hope that, in time, I can regain the trust and the confidence of all concerned.

Humbly Submitted,

JOAN GUZMAN

Manhattanite previously said:



http://www.secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=29549

WBA will not penalize Guzman for forfeited fight


SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)—Unbeaten Dominican boxer Joan Guzman will not be penalized by the WBA for forfeiting a title fight last month.

Guzman was set to meet Nate Campbell for the American’s WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles in Biloxi, Miss., on Sept. 13, but Guzman was 3 1/2 pounds over the 135-pound weight limit. Given another two hours to lose the weight, he never returned to the scale.

“We are sorry about what happened several weeks ago in Biloxi,” WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said in a statement Wednesday while attending a WBA convention. “The doors are open for Joan to fight.”

Mendoza added the WBA will not deny Guzman another opportunity to fight, although the association was not planning to organize a fight for him.

Guzman (28-0, 17 knockouts) had vacated his WBO super featherweight crown for the opportunity to meet Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs).

But Guzman said he started training camp too heavy, couldn’t lose the weight in time and was too dehydrated at the initial weigh-in. Campbell then agreed to fight without the titles on the line, but Guzman said he was too sick and the bout was canceled.