BOXING - Make-or-break time for North man's title tilt

MOHAMED AZZAOUI's trainer Rusty Porter said it's time for the boxer to prove he has made the transition from being a talented amateur boxer to a real contender in the professional boxing ranks.
It's make-or-break time for the Northland boxer as he flies to Germany today to fight rising cruiserweight star Yoan Pablo Hernandez at the weekend.
"Amateurs throw a lot of punches but they can be ineffective and Mohamed has had a long amateur career, he needs to be more efficient in this fight ... we've got to win this one or face a slide down the rankings," Porter said.
"This fight will see whether we can make it or whether Mohamed will be seen as a journeyman in the future."
Porter is confident that Azzaoui, who has 22 wins and two draws from his 25 professional fights, can pull off the tough assignment against the 6'4" Cuban-born German southpaw.
"His focus is still the same, he's never taken his eye off a title shot and although we had a title shot in his last fight (against Enzo Maccarinelli), Mohamed wasn't properly prepared for the fight," Porter explained.
The loss against Maccarinelli in Cardiff in November - Azzaoui's first professional loss - was taken at short notice after the Welsh WBO champion's original opponent failed to gain sanction for the fight by WBO officials.
The Ohaeawai boxer was fit for the fight after a recent showing in Russia, but not as well prepared as he might have been, and now is even more determined to beat the big-hitting Hernandez, who is unbeaten so far in his 13 fights, winning seven of them by knockout.
Porter said they are better prepared this time around. Azzaoui spent two days last week at Auckland's Balmoral Gym, sparring against the four of the best local heavyweights available.
"We're sure going to give it our best shot anyway - I think we're better prepared this time around," he said.
The schedule for the fight is tight. The boxer, Porter and manager Anthony Warren arrive in Germany tomorrow, with the weigh-in the following day before the fight on Sunday morning (NZT).
Porter said Azzaoui is used to international travel and is happy with the schedule the fights promoters have arranged.
``It's all just a part of what you have to put up with when you are a fighter from Downunder I suppose,' he said. ``Mohamed's used to this global travel carry-on, it's the trainer and the manager who struggle with it a bit,' he laughed.
Porter said the last three fights Hernandez had fought were against Southpaws and hopes that Azzaoui can use that fact to his advantage when the two fighters go toe to toe.