Medina is confident of winning third title

MANUEL MEDINA from Mexico feels at home in what he sees as the Irish wintry weather which he has experienced for the last 72 hours.

"We have weather like this in Tihuana in winter. I saw some sunshine today but I like the rain," he said yesterday through his manager and interpreter, Ignacio Huizar, as he completed his preparation for his world title bout against "Prince" Naseem Hamed at The Point in Dublin on Saturday night.

With 59 professional fights behind him since he turned professional at the age of 14 in 1981 he sees no problem about his task on Saturday night.

He points out, quite accurately, that Naseem has had fewer than half the number of his professional engagements. "I have been world champion twice and I have fought all the top boxers at my weight. I have no doubt that I can win the title for the third time" he said.

A mannerly and mostly unmarked man of 29 he seemed in control yesterday when he gave his first press conference in Dublin. "I know that Irish people know their boxing and I intend to give them a really impressive show on Saturday. I have very much respect for Naseem. I have seen him box on video and I know that he is quick and strong but I have much more experience than he has." he said.

Asked about the showmanship in which Naseem indulges he replied "I have seen him . I have been through all of that kind of behaviour but when the bell goes there are only two people in the ring. This is not a talk show. This is a fight. Nobody will win by talk. One punch can change everything in a fight. I know that I have the experience and the strength. I know that I can win," he said.

When asked for a forecast for the duration of the fight he pointed out that he had gone 12 rounds in no fewer than 15 of his fights while Naseem has had a mere one 12-round experience behind him.

He might have added that Naseem's record shows that he has had two eight-round fights, only one other more than five rounds.

The point is well made although Naseem's record of 20 knockouts out of 22 professional fights is impressive.

Some reservations about Naseem's achievements so far in his career seem a trifle begrudging and yet there can be no lack of respect for the record of Medina.

Yesterday he smiled when asked about his preparations. "I have worked very hard. I know what is needed. I will not be doing any sparring here. I am ready now. All I have to do is to stay calm. I have sparred about 200 rounds in preparation and I know what is needed.

"I have no difficulty with the weight. I eat three good meals a day and I sleep well. I am in top-class shape both mentally and physically and I promise the Irish people a really good performance.

"I respect all my opponents. Naseem has shown that he can box and I have noticed that he was knocked down in his last fight. He will realise that, against a very experienced fighter like me, that he will have to be very careful early on and I believe that I can make things very difficult for him, particularly if the fight goes the distance.

"He hasn't been used to going the full 12 rounds and that is where I can really make things difficult for him," said the confident Mexican.

Medina and Naseem are due to meet at a press conference in Dublin today and a further press conference is scheduled for the afternoon in Keady in Armagh where Marty Reneghan from that town will sign his professional forms before making his debut in The Point on Saturday night in a supporting bouts against Andy Martin from Hull in the lightweight division.

Tomorrow the world International Boxing Federation champion, Tom Johnson from Indiana and his challenger Ramon Guzman will meet the media while on Thursday the third world title holder to feature on The Point bill, the WBA cruiserweight champion Nate Miller from Philadelphia and his challenger James Heath from North Carolina will meet the press.

There are plans for a public sparring session featuring all of the top boxers on the show in central Dublin tomorrow in either Moore Street or Temple Bar but weather conditions may drive this indoors but the weigh-in for all 15 bouts on Saturday's bill is scheduled for Powerscourt Townhouse in South William Street at 6.0 on Friday evening.