Luis Nunez, the 22-year-old featherweight prospect from the tropical Dominican Republic, had one complaint while training at his manager’s Reading, Pennsylvania gym for his fight Friday night in Orlando, Florida.
“It’s a really cold day,” he told Boxing Junkie on Tuesday.
Other than that? He couldn’t be happier about his blossoming career, which makes sense. He went from a talented, but obscure boxer to fighting on his second consecutive “ShoBox: The New Generation” card on national TV in the U.S.
Nunez (15-0, 11 KOs) will face fellow unbeaten prospect Carlos Arrietta (14-0, 8 KOs) of Puerto Rico in the scheduled 10-round main event at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
“It’s definitely crazy,” he said through a translator, referring to his exposure in the U.S. “I give God thanks, first and foremost, and my manager Antonio Tineo and Samson Promotions for helping me make history.”
Nunez is no secret to those who follow Dominican boxing. He followed a friend to a gym at 8 years old in his native Puerto Plata, fell in love with the sport, became an outstanding amateur (with a reported record of 85-5) and has outclassed everyone he has faced so far as a pro.
That includes capable Jayvon Garnett in his previous fight on Showtime, his U.S. debut. Nunez, fighting behind a formidable jab, was seen as the underdog yet won the 10-rounder by a shutout decision.
That impressive victory opened American eyes to his potential.
“Given the fact it was my first time fighting in the U.S. and people seeing me as the underdog, yes, I think it was a big impression I left behind that day. I wasn’t impressed with myself, though. I know my ability and what I can give, I know the quality boxer I am.”
Does that mean we’ll see an even better version of Nunez on Friday? “Definitely,” he said.
Yes, Nunez, a slick boxer who likes to pressure his opponents, thinks big. He acknowledges that he’s just beginning to make his mark but he believes he’s not far from realizing the dream of every boxer, which is to have a major belt wrapped around his waist.
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However, he understands that he must be patient. The next step is to have his hand raised against Arrieta, which would give him back-to-back victories over undefeated opponents on an important platform.
“It’s difficult to be patient,” he said, “because who doesn’t want to be a world champion? But I will definitely take my time. God knows all. Timing is everything. When the door opens, when an opportunity opens, that’s when my time will be.”
What’s his ultimate goal?
“To win a world title … and keep it for a very long time.”