SAM Soliman will make a return pitstop in Warrnambool this weekend for another dose of salty air and sparring sessions before a crucial bout later this month.
The 38-year-old Australian boxing veteran is just weeks away from a highly anticipated encounter with Garth Wood, who famously upset Anthony Mundine in December 2010.
Soliman’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) No. 2 challenger ranking will be up for grabs on February 19 in Sydney.
“This would confirm my No. 1 spot,” Soliman told The Standard this week.
“In order to get my dream shot at the title I have to get past Wood.
“But he is six years younger than me and has that hunger for the dream as well.
“He is renowned for his fitness.”
Soliman, who trained in Warrnambool before his victory against Eromosele Albert in November, accepted Wood’s invitation to fight late last year.
“He had a year of frustration with people avoiding him after Mundine,” Soliman said.
“But I’ve never ducked a fight and we have that in common.”
Soliman’s trip to Warrnambool is as much an escape as it is a training session.
Threats of legal action have been directed from Soliman’s management to current IBF middleweight world champion Daniel Geale.
Tasmanian Geale is claimed to have broken an agreement to fight the winner of an IBF-ordered box-off between Soliman and Osumanu Adama.
However, as Soliman could not source a promoter to stage the encounter, Geale has set a date to face mandatory challenger Adama on March 9.
Last week Soliman’s management threatened an injunction to ban the Geale-Adama fight before the dispute was settled.
The quietly spoken Soliman said negotiations were ongoing. “The IBF has laws,” he said.“If you’re the champion, you have to fight the top-rated fighter.
“It will happen, it’s just a matter of dates.” Soliman will arrive in Warrnambool on Friday night before spending a day in the gym with local coach Rodney Ryan.
“I love the city, but in saying that, I enjoy getting away and concentrating on the next fight,” he said.
“Being in Warrnambool you get the best of both worlds.
“It was really good to train with Rudey last time. He made a lot of difference and I couldn’t have (beaten Albert) without him.
A showcase against four amateurs, including two state champions and Warrnambool’s Shane Carlin, has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Whalers Hotel.
“It’s a bit of entertainment but a lot of seriousness on my part,” Soliman said.
“It’s all part of my training.”
Publican Matty Stewart will also jump in the ring for one “fair dinkum” round against the champion, according to Ryan.
“Something like this has never happened in Warrnambool before,” Ryan said.
“You’ll get to see a world champion boxer up close.
“Anyone who is into boxing, whether it be at the gym or in a fitness class, should come down and have a look.”
The exhibition bouts start at 3pm at the Whalers Hotel in Warrnambool this Sunday. Entry is $10.
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