LOCAL BOXING: Free agent Casal to fight in Chicago

By Nate Beutel<br><a href="mailto:beuteln@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Nate</a>

November 12, 2008 10:26 pm

— Niagara Falls’ Nick Casal is a little bummed out that he’s not on this weekend’s card at the Seneca Niagara Casino. But he’s thrilled to get back in the ring — any ring.
After more than three months of intense training since his knockout of Frankie Zepeda, Casal is set to take on Anthony Mora in a six-round light welterweight bout at Cicero Stadium in downtown Chicago. The fight has taken on added importance as Casal is now a free agent after recently dropping Gary Shaw as his promoter.
“I know I’ve got to look good,” Casal admitted by phone Wednesday. “If it’s not a knockout, then I better look real good for six rounds and come out with no cuts.”
If that’s the case, Casal said he hopes to fight in January on a potential second card at the Casino. Ray Casal, Nick’s father, a Lockport native, has a good relationship with the first card’s promoter Nick Garone, which has led to speculation that Nick could sign with him before the end of the year.
Nick said he’s impressed with the way Garone takes care of his fighters, but that it’s too soon to make a decision.
“I’m kind of playing the field right now,” he said.
Before he worries about any of the out-of-the-ring issues, though, Casal must first focus on Mora. The 6-foot right-hander from Denver began his career with 15 consecutive wins, before losing his last two bouts.
Casal, 5-foot-7, knows Mora presents challenges with both his height and reach.
“I haven’t fought anybody this tall in a while, so there will be a lot of body work early on,” Casal said, while adding that he’s sparred with fighters that were 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-11 over the past two weeks.
“Then when the body tires, the head will come down for the knockout. I don’t really know how good his chin is, but I’m going to test it.”
Ray Casal will act as Nick’s trainer for the bout, as his regular trainer is currently working with another boxer overseas.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

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