Boxing News : Altamura : Green Relishes Underdog Role Vs. Lucas

Green Relishes Underdog Role Vs. Lucas
By Mike Altamura (December 16, 2003)

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Danny Green thrives on being the underdog. The 2000 Olympian loves the challenge of fighting a favored opponent in their hometown. This Saturday, Green, 16-1 (16), should be more motivated than ever when he meets popular Canadian and former 168-pound champion Eric Lucas, 36-5-3 (13), in a showdown to crown the “interim” WBC super middleweight champ at the Bell Centre, in Montreal, Quebec.

“I enjoy going over as the underdog, and going into the fight as the visitor because it spurs me on – it gives me a lot of motivation to win the fight,” Green told MaxBoxing.com. “This is going to be the hardest fight of my entire life, and I’m pumped mate. I’m really excited.”

This will be the hard-hitting Australian’s second shot at the WBC title in 2003. In August, he was controversially disqualified for headbutting southpaw Markus Beyer in the fifth round at the N¸rburgring Racetrack, Germany, after having the German down in the opening two rounds and leading on all scorecards.

Following the contest, at the annual WBC convention, Green was installed the number two contender to the throne, with Lucas (who lost the title via a controversial decision to Beyer in April) holding the number one spot. Beyer was slated to fight Lucas in November, but the eye injury he sustained against Green was still troubling him and forced him to withdraw. The WBC thus called for the Lucas-Green fight, with the winner obliged to defend against the German within 90 days to solidify the championship.

Green, who has been a professional for only two years, understandably wants to leave the Beyer fight in the past, and focus on the difficult task at hand – beating Lucas.

“I don’t even want to talk about the Beyer fight because it’s history,” he said. “You know what’s happened has happened, and I’ve dealt with that, I’ve lived with that. That’s life. And I’m comfortable with the fact that that’s happened now, and I’m over that. I’m looking forward to Eric Lucas so I can then go and get redemption in Germany against Markus Beyer. But if I look past Eric Lucas, who is a much tougher opponent than Markus Beyer, then I’m gonna come unstuck”

Green is very respectful of Lucas, and was actually full of praise for the Canadian.

“I’m very impressed with him,” Green said. “He’s a very professional fighter. He doesn’t waste a lot of punchers, and he tries to counter punch – he tries to counter a lot off fighters. He makes them reach in and miss and then he counters, and you know, utilizes the fact that he can make them miss a bit and then come back and hit them with either a right hand or a left hook. He’s a pressure fighter and he loves to brawl, and he’s been in with the best. I’ve got a lot of respect for the guy because he’s been there and done that and been a champion for a long time as well.”

Green’s trainer and former three-division world champion Jeff Fenech also respects the abilities of the 32-year-old, 44-fight veteran.

“He’s a very, very good professional fighter,” Fenech said. “He’s a different kettle of fish to Beyer. While Beyer is one of those skillful southpaws, this guy is a guy that comes to fight. If you put the pressure on him, he’ll stay there and fight with you and that’s why I respect him. We’re expecting a very rugged encounter.”

Despite his respect for his opponent, the Australian is “quietly confident” of victory. His confidence stems from his belief in himself and the training regime he’s followed alongside Fenech.

“If there’s anyone that can get a man fit for a world title fight it’s Jeff Fenech,” said Green, who shares a unique bond with his trainer. “Obviously, I’ve gotta do the training, but Jeff knows just when to push and just when to pull back a little bit as well. We work together very well. I’m very proud to have Jeff in my corner, and have a guy with such remarkable experience inside and outside the ring in the world of boxing, and I’m very lucky and I believe Jeff knows exactly what to do when it comes to fight time. Especially when I get to the fight, going back to the corners I think that’s what is gonna be such a huge advantage for me – knowing I have Jeff in the corner telling me what to do between rounds.”

Green, who has fought beyond five rounds just three times, sparred hard with WBA no. 8 cruiserweight Danny Rowsell, former welterweight title challenger Shannan Taylor, and Australian cruiserweight champ Lawrence Tauasa to prepare himself for twelve grueling rounds, before flying out to Miami, Florida to adjust to the time difference and start to taper off his training last week. On Tuesday he flew out to the much colder Quebec, Canada.

Despite his knockout record, the composed former amateur star believes the fight will go the distance.

“This fight is going to go 12 rounds. I have no delusions in my mind; I have no second thoughts that this fight is going to be stopped early by either of us,” Green said. “I think this fight is going to go the distance, and I think it’s whoever wants it the most on that Saturday night who is going to get the fight. I’ve got the skill level and the power and the chin, and so does he. He’s got such a great chin, such great skills. I’m looking forward to a tough, hard, and grueling contest.”

Although inexperienced compared to Lucas, Green has contested in fewer wars and is a much fresher fighter. That is something he’s hoping will work to his advantage.

“I’m hoping my hunger, my toughness, my determination, and my freshness as a fighter is going to payoff as opposed to Eric Lucas. You know, he’s been in wars, he’s been there a lot - hopefully his body is going to start to wear down to a degree. He’s been such a great fighter and such a tough guy, and taken so many – had so many hard fights, and hopefully that’ll sway in my direction.”

Green entered training camp a few weeks prior to leaving Australia to get himself mentally prepared and focused on the lofty task ahead. While shut off from the outside world he studied various tapes of the former champion, and has seen some weaknesses in his game. The usually easy-going Australian, is not so willing to discuss strategy though.

“I’m not giving any secrets away, mate,” he told MaxBoxing.com.

Green will find support at the Bell Centre in the form of the ‘Green Army’ – his group of supporters comprised of close family and friends. He will find it empowering to see them ringside come fight time.

“It gives me a phenomenal boost knowing that the people that are important in my life are with me,” he revealed.

The 30 year old is dedicating the fight to his 22-month old daughter, Chloe.

“This fight is for my little daughter. I’m gonna make sure I win this fight and set myself up, set my daughter up, for the future. When the going gets hard, and you know, if I’m in the 10th round and it’s really hard work and I feel like taking a rest, or taking a break and holding off a bit, I tell myself that my little daughter - she knows that I will try my best, do my best, and that really inspires me and gives me a bit of a lift.”

Fenech, who has supreme confidence in Green, is quite direct in explaining what can be expected from his charge this weekend.

“Expect to see a kid who is very hungry, and is well-prepared,” he said. “He knows it’s his time so he’s very confident and he will be ready.”

As for Green, he can’t wait until the opening bell.

“Just talking about it gets me excited,” he said with an air of enthusiasm. “I’ve gotta make sure I release all that energy on Saturday night.”