Javier Fortuna eager to get past Douglas, eyes 2017 title shot

Javier Fortuna lightweight

FORMER WBA World super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna (30-1-1, 22 KOs) will face unbeaten Omar Douglas (17-0, 12 KOs) on November 12th in Philadelphia. The fight will take place less than eight weeks since his last fight against the over-matched Marlyn Cabrera.

โ€œIโ€™m having an excellent training camp,โ€ said Fortuna. โ€œWeโ€™re working hard and figuring out how to break down my opponent. Douglas is a prospect who has looked pretty good coming up. He wants to get to where Iโ€™ve been. He might be looking past me. I think that his style (fits) my style perfectly. Iโ€™m going to have openings and I just need to take advantage.โ€

Fortuna has his sights set on another world title since suffering his first defeat against Stephen Smithโ€™s future rival, Jason Sosa, in the early part of summer.

After scoring a knockdown in the middle rounds, and taking a comfortable lead in the fight, Fortuna was hurt by aย vicious left-hand counter by Sosa. He made it to this feet but the official stopped the fight less than six minutes from the final bell.

โ€œI have learned a lot of things since I lost,โ€ reflected Fortuna. โ€œMy defense and my confidence in myself has improved. If I can beat a guy who is 22-0 and make it two wins over previously unbeaten fighters, then I think Iโ€™m right back in contention. Heโ€™s still considered a prospect so I think whoever wins will be a contender at the top of the division.โ€

The Dominican southpawโ€™s power and punch output have historically compensated for a perceived lack of discipline in the ring, especially on defense. Fortuna is a flashy fighter who takes lots of risks, fighting for extended periods with his arms below his waist, like his former stablemate Sergio Martinez.

Fortunaโ€™s unconventional style is a perennial wild card. His future opponent, Douglas, asserts that he has been fine-tuning aspects of his game that will help exploit Fortuna’s weaknesses come fight night.

โ€œHe moves well,โ€ said Douglas. I canโ€™t let myself get off-balanced trying to chase him. Heโ€™s awkward but I know that my jab will neutralize his strengths.โ€

Douglas hails from the northeastern state of Delaware and has spent the bulk of his fighting career competing across the river against Philadelphiaโ€™s finest.

On November 12th, he will finally get a chance to test his mettle against one of the best in the division

โ€œIn the amateurs, I was one of the only guys from Delaware,โ€ said Douglas. โ€œI had a lot of obstacles. Iโ€™ve been fighting against Phillyโ€™s best fighters for years. Philadelphia is where I achieved my first goals in the sport and it will always be special to me to fight in Philly.

โ€œIโ€™ve been waiting for this moment for all my life and I believe I am the hungrier fighter. He doesnโ€™t want it as badly as I do. Iโ€™ve been waiting in the shadows for a long time. I have all the skills necessary to get the job done.โ€

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