Montréal, September, 18, 2008 : After dropping a controversial decision in his first attempt at a world title, Montreal’s Hermann Ngoudjo (17-2-0, 9 KO’s) will get a second crack at boxing glory, this time against former world champion Juan Urango (20-1-1, 16 KO’s), for the now vacant IBF Junior Welterweight (140 lbs.) championship.
In an official letter sent to Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), and Urango’s promoter, Seminole Warriors Boxing, the IBF confirmed that Paul Malignaggi (25-1-0, 5 KO’s would not be able to grant Ngoudjo, his mandatory challenger, a rematch, and that he therefore will be vacating his belt.
The IBF has set an October 18th deadline for GYM and Seminole Warriors Boxing to reach an agreement, or it will order a purse bid to determine the details of this intriguing world title bout.
This past January, in Atlantic City, in his first world title fight, Ngoudjo gave the defending champion Malignaggi all he could handle, and then some, seemingly doing enough to bring the title to Montreal, only to be denied by the judges in a controversial unanimous decision setback.
Undeterred by the bitter defeat to Malignaggi, Ngoudjo quickly earned a second crack at the IBF crown, outpointing former WBA champion Souleymane M’Baye (36-3-1, 21 KO’s) over 12 rounds in an IBF title eliminator, on June 6, 2008, at Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium,
While Ngoudjo, a master boxer, who isn’t affraid to mix things up, had to deal with the elusive Malignaggi in January, his second title opportunity will pose a different set of challenges altogether when he faces the rock-fisted Urango, considered by many to be one of the hardest hitters in the sport.
Urango is best known for dropping his world title to the aforementioned Ricky Hatton in January of 2007, in Las Vegas, but it was the showstopping power he flashed en route to gaining the title that put Urango on the boxing map.
Like Ngoudjo, Urnago had to win his way back into title contention, and he did just that this past April, destroying veteran Carlos Wilfredo Vilches (53-8-2, 31 KO’s) in the fourth round to earn the IBF’s #2 ranking at junior welterweight.
Ngoudjo, who became a naturualized Canadian this past spring, is eagerly looking forward to another shot at the IBF belt :
”After my win over M’Baye, I knew Malignaggi would never get in the same ring as me again He’d just assume avoid me,” Ngoudjo said.
”Urango is a very dangerous hitter, and it’s going to be a real challenge, but my days of being a contender are over, and it’s time for me to take the next step.”
Many feel Ngoudjo already has, with his last four fights coming against either reigning or former world champions, nothcing two wins, and two disputed loses against the likes of Jose Luis Castillo (56-9-1, 48 KO’s), Randall Bailey (37-6-0, 34 KO’s), Malignaggi, and M’Baye .
According to GYM President Yvon Michel, Ngoudjo was willing to wait to face the winner of Malignaggi-Hatton, but neither fighter would guarantee Ngoudjo a shot at the title.
”We were willing to be paitient and step asside to let Malignaggi defend his belt against Hatton, but we would have to be guaranteed an immediate fight against the winner, We never received that guarantee, so we pushed the IBF to call a purse bid, which forced Malignaggi to vacate his title,” Michel said.
”In the end though, Herman has already proven himself to be an elite fighter. His last four fights have all been against either reigning or former world champions, and he’s 2-2 with both loses coming on very controversial decisions. He’s fought the cream of the crop at junior welterweight. He has the experience, and the maturity, and he’s shown that he’s one of the best 140 lb. fighters in the world.”