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LITZAU, MEZA CLAY SPEAK
By Jesse Kelley
August 27th, 2010

 

Saint Paul's Allen Litzau (13-5) will travel to the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to battle former world champion Monty Meza Clay (28-3) on Saturday night. Both fighters will look to break a two fight skid and get their career's back on track when they meet in the main event bout.

Litzau lost to local rival Wilton Hilario in April of 2009 and most recently was stopped in the second round by prospect Luis Ramos Jr in Las Vegas. Litzau was fighting almost 10 pounds above his highest weight to that point.

"People can say what they want about me and hate if they want" said Litzau. "If you look at my record, I have five losses. But one was a bull crap decision that I should have won in New Jersey, and the other four were TKO's. I have never been KO'd. And most of those stoppages shouldn't even have happened in my opinion. But God has a plan for all of us and I am grateful to have been able to learn in and out of the ring. I took my last fight on a weeks notice which may not have been the best decision but I took it and it is what it is. I recently had corrective eye surgery and I am really excited to see how that can help me. I am not saying my losses were because of my eye sight but I think it played a part. I can't wait to see how things go from here on out."

Meza Clay, like Litzau is looking to rebound from two recent defeats. Meza Clay lost to Jorge Solis in an IBF Featherweight Title Eliminator in January of 2009 followed by a loss a few months later to Fernando Beltran Jr. Meza Clay says that aside from recent nagging injuries, he took a short step away from boxing following the Beltran loss but is now looking to get back to top form.

" I just needed some time off. I've been healin and dealin during the time off" said Meza Clay. "Healing and dealing with what life brings in and out of the ring. I am healthy now and back in the game and am ready to do my thing. I feel rejuvenated. I needed a break even before the injuries. I was kind of sizzling out a little before mentally. The desire was gone and I was just worn out with boxing but the time off has been a blessing and I am ready to get back to what I do best."

The Litzau-Meza Clay matchup has all the makings of an interviewers dream as far as getting fun quotes and bold predictions, but the two "spotlight" seeking personalities were both respectful of each other when asked to talk about Saturday nights showdown.

" He (Meza Clay) lost to Jorge Solis who is now a champion. Edner Cherry, so he has only lost to good fighters. I give respect where respect is due and I am glad to have the opportunity to fight him. I have trained hard for this fight and am going to go in there and do what I have been doing for 17 years. I have a decent amount of time to train for this one which is nice". Litzau continued, " I am here to win. I don't go around to lay down or take a loss. That's not me. I feel like I have one of the biggest hearts in the game. I am 28 and going to continue to go strong in this fight like I always do. I am just taking it one fight at a time and this is the next biggest fight of my career.

"I have prepared for Allen Litzau like I have for any other fight" said the 29 year old Meza Clay. "I am a fighter and I respect every other fighter that is willing to get in the ring. I understand what he (Litzau) is going through and he knows what I am going through. We both want the same thing. Now we just need to see which one of us put it all together. May the best fighter win. I don't really know much about him other then he is a fighter. I know he has a brother that is a boxer, just the small things like that but I have never seen him fight. I am just going to be me and be cool calm and collected in there and let my trainer do all the studying so he can let me know what to work on. I will get a chance to show what I will do on August 28th."

Litzau knows that he is the underdog as he ventures into his more experienced opponents hometown. Litzau confirms that there have been local fighters calling him out but explained the reason why he opted to go to Meza Clay's backyard instead.
" I'll fight anybody at any given time. But if it doesn't make sense money wise, why do it? I proved myself in the amateurs by fighting anybody, anywhere. I fought in tournaments all over the country. I fought in the Western Olympic Trials where I made it to the semi finals before losing a very close 10-9 decision to Robert Guerrero. Most people thought I won that fight too. I fought Roberto Benitez, Mickey Bay Jr., and Vicente Escobeto. I proved myself in the amateurs and now it is a business in the pro's. Everybody knows I will fight these guys that are calling me out. The Jeremy McLaurin's, the Gary Eyer's. But you can't tell me those guys are better then Monty Meza Clay. Meza Clay is a much bigger fight then them right now so that is why I am taking this fight. Better money, and a better opponent. These guys can say what they want. Of course I will fight them but I have other things to think about right now and that's Monty Meza Clay.

Meza Clay, like Litzau, says he is looking to do what every other fighter wants to do with a fight in front of them. Win, look impressive, and line themselves for a big fight. Meza Clay says that a fight with Allen's brother Jason is not out of the question. Jason Litzau recently defeated Meza Clay's hometown rival Verquan Kimbrough on PPV in August of 2008.

"There was talks of me and Jason fighting a long time before this fight" said Meza Clay. "It is my understanding that he had a few things to say about me also. I am not the type of guy to bad mouth anybody but I'm a fighter. I'll get his brother out of the way and then hollar at him if he wants. I can get him out of the way too. As far as Verquan goes, that fight will never happen. He never wanted to fight me anyways. He's not even of my caliber anymore. He never was, but now it has been proven. The city does want to see it but people that know boxing, know that he is not on my level. There was hype for that fight years ago, but I don't even think it is a thought anymore. I signed my name a long time ago so if he ever wants to sign on the dotted line we can do it. I just don't see that happening. It would be a walk in the park."

 

 

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