Trading with Denis Douglin
WASHINGTON, D.C.–Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin will take the next step in his career Friday night in Salisbury, Md. when he takes on veteran gatekeeper Doel Carrasquillo.
One of the most highly-touted prospects on the East Coast, Douglin (12-0, 8 KOs) had fought exclusively in the New York area until his last fight, a first-round knockout of Matt Berkshire in Monroeville, Penn. He will venture further South on Friday to fight on the undercard of popular local middleweight prospect Fernando Guerrero, whose feature bout against Derrick Findley will be the first televised in 3D by ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.
The 2008 National Golden Gloves champ at middleweight, Douglin has already attracted notoriety in the boxing world due to the fact he’s trained by his mother Saphya, a former amateur boxer herself. Douglin said thus far the experience has been great.
“Nobody has seen something like this before, so it’s great to bring something new and refreshing to the sport,” Douglin told Stiff Jab earlier this week. He described his mother as very strong technically due to have spent most of her life in the gym and hailing from a boxing family; his uncle is also a professional trainer and another cousin is a pro fighter.
“She’s great as far as training goes, she knows how to get me going.”
His signing last month with acclaimed manager Al Haymon also confirmed Douglin’s status as a rising star of the sport. Douglin said he’s had the move in mind for a while, but needed to first impress Haymon’s people by winning fights they set up, including the bout against Berkshire.
“It’s a good move for my career,” Douglin said, adding he hopes the move will help him stay busy by fighting at least eight times this year. “He’s who everyone wants to sign with.”
As far as his personal style, Douglin described himself as an exciting fighter but even more importantly as good person. He said fighters often get a bad rap because of how they make a living.
“People think boxers are tough, mean assholes, but I’m just a fun, cool guy who likes to beat people up for money,” Douglin said.
Both Douglin and Stiff Jab were ringside for Carrasquillo’s last fight, a unanimous decision loss in Times Square to welterweight prospect Alex Perez that appeared closer than the final scorecards. Carrasquillo (14-17-1, 12 KOs) kept up the pressure throughout the fight and appeared unaffected by his opponent’s power, even scoring a flash knockdown in the fifth round.
Douglin described Carrasquillo as a “tough, rugged fighter” but added that he’s “not too good.” He called the fight a step up and said he plans to pace himself, but predicted a win by third-round knockout.
“It’s been a good six-week camp, we’re winding down now and focusing on making weight,” Douglin said. “It’s great getting to see all different styles of fighters. I’ve fought boxers, punchers…[I want] to see these different fighting styles so when I get up to the top level I’ll be ready for anything.”
He also said he was excited to show his talents in front of new, larger audience. We’re expecting to be ringside tomorrow night, even though we’ve yet to hear back from the promoter on our press pass. Here’s hoping we’ll be able to check out “Da Momma’s Boy” from up close and not stuck in the back of what’s expected to be a packed house in Salisbury.