Escobedo vs Dib Heats up...

MEXICAN sensation Eduardo Escobedo has lit the fuse for his IBF featherweight world-title fight against Billy Dib after labelling his Australian opponent a "*****" yesterday.

The 28-year-old touched down in Hobart yesterday for his fight, which will take place on Wednesday at the Derwent Entertainment Centre as the curtain-raiser to Tasmanian Daniel Geale's bout against Osumanu Adama.

Escobedo has an imposing record in the ring.

He has won 32 of his 35 fights, including 23 by knockout, and has been defeated just once since 2004 when he went down to Daniel Ponce De Leon in December 2007 fighting for the WBO NABO featherweight title.

He has since recorded 11 victories on the trot and is now eyeing off the IBF crown currently in Dib's possession.

Speaking through interpreter and HG Boxing director-general Hector Garcia, Escobedo didn't hold back in his assessment of Sydney's world champion.

"I am ready for the win. It has been a very, very good preparation," he said.

"I have seen Billy Dib in action, I can't wait for the fight, because in my opinion he is a little *****."

Garcia said the star from his stable was in mint condition, with the days leading up to the fight all about weight management.

Escobedo will train at Grant "Tassie" Brown's Moonah gym, along with Geale's opponent Adama, to fine-tune his preparation.

Garcia challenged Dib, who has a 33-1 record, to box and not dance around the ring.

"All Mexicans fight hard. He has only lost once in six years," Garcia said of Escobedo.

"Now he is ready, his last fight [was against] another Mexican who is a really tough guy. He knocked him down second round. We came from far, far away, we took three days to be here, we came here for the championship.

"First [time in Australia] and last for fight. It is a great country and we like to come as a tourist but for a fight it is difficult because you need to do a lot of work on the scales to be here.

"Escobedo is a really tough guy, from the street, so you will see a really good match and he never surrenders.

"Billy Dib doesn't hit hard, we just hope Billy Dib faces Eduardo and tries to fight because it would be a shame for everybody to see a fighter like him throw two punches and run three rounds around the ring. In Mexico we don't like that kind of boxing."

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WORLD champion boxer Billy Dib has reacted furiously to being called a little ***** by vowing to inflict serious damage upon bitter rival Eduardo Escobedo.

Dib defends his IBF featherweight against Escobedo on Wednesday night in Hobart, looking to end a five-year feud by knocking out the Mexican who resumed verbal baiting upon arrival in Australia.

"I think he is a little *****, we in Mexico see boxing as an interchange of punches, Dib's style is not like that, Escobedo told the Daily Telegraph through translator Hector Garcia.

"I don't even think the Australian people like Billy Dib's style, nobody likes his style.

Escobedo has won 11 straight fights to become the mandatory challenger for the belt held by Dib, who himself is on a 13-fight undefeated streak since his only loss in 2008.

The pair has a bitter history. Dib defeated Escobedos' stablemate Jose Alberto Gonzalez on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's fight against Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas in May 2007, after which Escobedo jumped into the ring and challenged Dib before making a throat-slitting gesture.

"I genuinely hate this guy, I really do, " Dib said.

"I think he is arrogant, he is everything I dont want to be. I have so much dislike for this guy that I absolutely want to knock him out and send him into a world of hurt.

"Once the bell rings I have bad intentions for this guy, seriously. Even people around me, friends and family, they are telling me to cool it, saying, 'You really look like you want to hurt somebody.'


"This is just a sport, but this is one time where I am going to really hurt this guy."

Escobedo is unconcerned by Dib's intentions, saying the Australian does not have muscle to hurt him.

"Billy Dib does not have power, look at the people he has been knocking down, they are not first-class boxers, Escobedo said.

"I've been in the ring with really strong fighters and punchers.

"What kind of power does Billy Dib have? I've never seen him in a proper fight.

"I think he is scared. He has seen my last fight, I knocked down Joksan Hernandez four times and put him in hospital. Dib has been watching that on the internet and I think he is really scared.

"He is not coming to fight, he is coming to dance around the ring. He is afraid of me and he doesn't want to fight toe-to-toe.

"I am here to give the Australian people a very good show.

"I have been undefeated for the last six years."

Dib (33-1, 20KO) will confront Escobedo (32-3, 23KO) at today's official press conference, which also promotes Daniel Geale's IBF middleweight defence against Osumanu Adama in one of the biggest cards in Australian boxing history.

Dib said Escobedo will change his tune when they come face to face.

"When he sees me and realises how much bigger I am than him, how much more of a monster I am, he's going to realise that he is in trouble, "* Dib said.

"He seems to have animosity there, and that's good because that is going to work against him.

"Once that bell rings its about being smart, focused and switched on."