Haithem Laamouz is determined to create history tomorrow as the Maltese boxer will be fighting for the vacant WBC Mediterranean title belt against Italian Vittorio Parrinello at the Corradino Sports Complex.
This is the first time that a Maltese boxer will be fighting for a WBC title belt in Malta and Laamouz is determined to make the most of the opportunity that has come his way.
“I’m really looking forward to the fight,” Laamouz told the Times of Malta.
“This is the first time that a Maltese boxer is involved in a title fight in Malta and I have no plans to miss out on the opportunity. I feel that it’s destiny that I will rewrite history here in Malta.
“I have worked hard to arrive for this fight in the best possible shape and I feel hungry and confident that I can take the Mediterranean belt to my home come Saturday night.”
For Laamouz tomorrow’s fight represents his first title opportunity since losing the Australian Lightweight title two years ago.
“I have been itching for another title opportunity ever since I lost the Australian title in 2017,” Laamouz said.
“Earlier this year I travelled to England for a six-week training camp in West Ham. I trained other the charge of Barry Smith where I had the opportunity to undergo some sparring sessions with Britain’s most promising fighters.
“Among the boxers I trained with was Ben Smith who represented England at international level, Daniel Khan, who is the cousin of Amir Khan, Philip Bowes, the current Commonwealth champion and other English prospects.
“I know that it’s not going to be easy but I feel ready to do the job on Saturday night.”
Laamouz was originally scheduled to fight Benoit Manno but the Italian fighter was ruled out of the bout as he could not make the weight and the fight was in danger of being cancelled.
However, the WBC managed to find a replacement in Parrinello who has a far higher pedigree than Manno.
In fact Parrinello, is an Olympic medallist having won bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics and also struck gold in the World Military Games in 2009.
This will be by far Laamouz’s biggest test to date but he is unfazed by the challenge.
“He may have more experience than me but technically I’m better than him, I’m faster and I’m hungrier for this belt and I will knock him out,” Laamouz who defeated David Kanalasa in his last official fight last September at Corradino.
Laamouz said that victory over Parrinello could open the doors for him to enter the WBC rankings and put him on course for bigger title fights in the future.
“This is the biggest opportunity of my career,” Laamouz said.
“Victory on Saturday will see me enter the WBC world rankings and put me in contention for more prestigious fights abroad in the future.
“I hope that all Maltese boxer fans will come to the Corradino Pavilion on Saturday to give me their support and I have no doubt that with their positive energy they can help me rewrite Maltese boxing history.” Laamouz is supported by Fort Fitness, Ips-Ingredis, Quicklets and Zanzi Homes and TeamSport.