Shane Cameron strips 13kg for Daniel Ammann bout

Cameron sounds like he's right on track:



Cameron in best shape of his life

by Diana Dobson (The Gisborne Herald - NZ)


SHANE Cameron says he is in peak condition heading into his cruiserweight bout with Australian Daniel Ammann in Perth.

The “Mountain Warrior” faces the “Doberman” on the undercard of Danny Green’s International Boxing Organisation world cruiserweight title defence against Paul Briggs.

The July 21 fight night was scheduled for Sydney but was moved to Perth when Briggs couldn’t get clearance to fight in New South Wales.

Cameron is disappointed for his fans but “doesn’t care where the ring is” — he just wants the fight to go ahead.

Tiniroto’s favourite son has trimmed down 13 kilograms to a lean-and-mean 93kg.

“I’m ripped to shreds,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve never been in this shape before.”

It is not the lightest he has been — he was 87kg when he won bronze for New Zealand at the 2002 Commonwealth Games — but it is the best he has felt.

“I’m a lot more mobile and my fitness is second-to-none.”

Cameron has been working 10 and 11 rounds with two fresh sparring partners for what he says is “something big for me”.

Victory could set him up for a shot at Green.

“He’s the man for sure… and it’s looking pretty positive we will be able to fight.”

First things first.

Australian cruiserweight champion Ammann is a 27-year-old southpaw who has had to beef up a few kilograms for a fight his trainer says will be “a step up in quality”.

Ammann rates Cameron as the biggest bout of his career so far.

He was offered a shot at the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title against Dominic Vea but chose to face the New Zealander.

“Although it’s a more dangerous fight, we feel it’s also more prestigious and worth the risk,” trainer Peter Hallett said.

Ammann has 19 wins — four by knockout — from his 23-fight career. Cameron has 24 wins — 20 by KO — from 26 fights.

Shane Cameron has a few extra inches in height and reach on his Aussie opponent, who the Kiwi’s manager Ken Reinsfield described as quality.

“He’s a former Australian cruiserweight champ and has beaten Mohamed Azzaoui (a New Zealand-based Algerian considered one of New Zealand’s highest-ranked cruiser weights), so is a genuine opponent.”

But his lad is hungry for a win.

“He’s been training the house down for this and is enjoying being in this weight class,” says Reinsfield.

“His body has responded well to this and he looks quick.”

Reinsfield is disappointed the fight has been moved but hopeful all the Western Australia-based Kiwis will be out in supportive force.

“It’s pretty outrageous they moved it . . . and it’s cost the promoters around $150,000, but hey . . . at least we’re still fighting.”

Cameron can expect better opposition than his last outing in March against a woeful John Hopoate, who was disqualified in the second round.

Team Cameron head to Perth on Sunday.

 

You don't think there was a message delivered to Cameron by Tua?

He's changed weight divisions, and has a plan to fight Danny Green - a comparatively big payday for him. Fighting on this card is all tied up with that. Don't you read the papers?

 

Agreed Cameron is playing his cards smartly in changing divisions and seeking out Green.

But forget about any concious effort to give Ammann a chance here. The bout's set at cruiserweight, and it's about Cameron making weight, and fighting at that weight, nothing more.

 

No one should be using Mundine's scales for official weigh-ins, including Mundine himself. Bloody farce that was for sure - no argument there.