Leon Moore in a 'hurry' to be a world champion

Moore, 31, won a unanimous points decision over Indonesian Marangin Marbun in Singapore Saturday, leaving him potentially one victory away from a showdown with WBA super-bantamweight champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

The shy Moore's route to victory in the city state at the weekend was an unlikely one.

In a career which he says has been mismanaged, a meeting with American journalist-turned-promoter Scott Mallon last year gave him new hope of achieving his ambition to become a world champion after he thought the chance had passed.

Moore (28-2) was 28 years old when he slumped to a controversial split-decision defeat by Timur Shailezov in Kyrgyzstan three years ago.

“I went to Russia and the management I had then was not looking after my interests because taking me to Russia was a bad mistake,” Moore told Reuters. “I fought a good fight but I didn't get the decision.

“The loss (to Shailezov) left me on the verge of out (retiring). I thought about going home and just living the family life, then I thought: 'I have to go back there' and this is where I am now looking ahead (to a world-title fight).”

Moore went and fought at home and elsewhere in the Caribbean six times, knocking out all of his opponents, as he regained his belief and love of the sport and earned his nickname from fans who grew used to seeing him finish off his fights quickly.

Title Defense

The provisional plan is for Moore to defend his newly acquired title in March and then fight in May against Thailand's Poonsawat, who defended his world belt in Tokyo by beating Japan's Satoshi Hosono with a majority decision last week.

Mallon is confident that the move to Asia can help Moore to achieve his dream and emulate the success of his compatriots Gairy St. Clair, Andrew Lewis, Vivian Harris, Wayne Braithwaite and Dennis Andries who all became world champions.

“In Guyana they do not have a lot of opportunities so it is difficult for them to get somewhere,” Mallon said.

“He is number six in the world (rated by the WBC), we feel we can get him to the world championship, that's the big difference.

“We have the resources to bring him to the title. I think the training is better (in Thailand), the facilities for sure, and he also has a great place to live.”

What chance does Moore think he has against the heavy hands of Poonsawat?

“I have seen two tapes of him,” Moore said. “One when he beat Bernard Dunne and in his last fight in Japan. To me he got tired; you have to be a very strong fighter. I have a lot of movements and I think I can do it.

“I didn't get the opportunity to be an Olympic champion so I have focused on becoming a world champion, that's where my focus lies. If there is an opportunity for me, I can do it.”

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