He radiates a voracious appetite for glory. The direct gaze, as if measuring the interlocutor, accompanies the slow words with which he constructs the phrases of each response. Gustavo Lemos He perceives that he is on the threshold of a great event for his boxing career, but he does not cross the line of prudence in his short definitions. His body and his mind are fully focused on the fight he will fight. next Saturday, April 6, in Las Vegas, against the American Richardson Hitchins and the possibility of becoming mandatory challenger for the IBF super lightweight world title. “It’s the fight of my life,” he tells LA NACION, convinced that behind his small and vigorous figure there is a boxer willing to become big.
At 28 years old and with an immaculate record of 29 wins (19 KOs), El Eléctrico, as Lemos is nicknamed, knows very well that this chance against Hitchins in the ring of the luxurious Fontainebleau casino will represent a turning point in his aspirational intentions to enter the the first world level. Because not only will the result he achieves be judged, the way in which he achieves it will also be weighed. Even if defeated he can secure more and better opportunities. “I have a dream which is to become world champion. And to achieve this, first there is this fight to continue opening doors,” he says, aware that his debut in Mecca will be closely watched by the industry’s leaders.
What does fighting in Las Vegas mean to you?
-It’s every boxer’s dream. Beyond that, I try to focus on my preparation and work hard to be able to crown it with a good victory. Here, in Argentina, I don’t want to fight anymore…
-What do you know about your rival?
-I’ll be honest with you, I saw a couple of videos of some of his fights, but I didn’t spend hours studying it either. I know that he is tall and long, that he has good technique and volleys his forehand with great power. Nothing else. I am very involved in my preparation, in reaching the weight well and in what I must do that day to win.
-Are you aware that in this fight you have to be the B side?
-Yes, that’s why you have to give your all in each round to leave no doubts. And if I can knock out, even better. Hitchins is local and has promotional support, but I believe in my boxing and I know my hunger for glory. It’s up to me not to let myself be robbed…
–Hitchins praised your boxing and warned that he will have no problem applying an elusive strategy, how do you take it?
-I’m not interested in what he says, I prefer to train and talk with my fists in the ring. If he plans to take the pile, I am prepared to shoot as many rounds as necessary. I will seek to shorten the ring and force him to stand up and throw punches.
Eléctrico’s nickname is only for above the ring. Below, out of generosity and sympathy, the other one, Tito, the kid who was born, raised and lives in the Ruta 3 neighborhood of the city of Tres Arroyos, sounds better. The one whose voice without stridency became accustomed to being known and to the fashion of giving interviews and posing for photos despite his shyness. The same boy who from time to time grabs the spoon and the trowel, as in his days as a bricklayer, to make renovations to the same house that was built with so much sacrifice. The one who wants to be world champion to give his 8-year-old son Ian a future less sacrificed than his hard past.
“I was always very restless at school and I liked to make trouble a bit. And going to the gym with my brother Leandro so much made me want to learn boxing. My mother, Cecilia, didn’t want anything to do with me being a boxer, but she had no choice but to resign herself and let me box. Today everything I have and what I am I owe to this sport,” says Tito, who since he started boxing, at the age of 12, has been trained by his stepfather, Pedro Alem, better known as El Toro. . “I hope to give him back some of the much he denies by teaching us boxing,” he says, smiling and grateful.
–How much of your future do you risk against Hitchins?
-A lot. I know that by winning I make the leap I need to consolidate myself athletically and economically. What comes next will depend on this fight. I feel like I have many more things to gain than to lose.
-Why have people been talking about you for a long time but you never had a World Cup chance?
-Without a doubt, due to the lack of continuity. In recent years it has been very difficult for us to find rivals and I had a couple of injuries that did not allow me to hit well. In addition to other issues that had more to do with the organism than with me. I was a mandatory challenger for the lightweight title for a year and a half and something always happened that postponed it.
Don’t you think that not being in the media and fighting little in Argentina also delayed your international takeoff?
–Maybe, but I don’t like giving notes and explaining why they don’t want to fight me. The few who accepted asked for priceless purses.
–After you were excluded from the IBF lightweight rankings for not making weight with Clavero, were you afraid that you would never have another chance?
-I didn’t think I would have this chance so quickly. When they told me, I took things more seriously and was aware that I couldn’t make a mistake. I am training very motivated, knowing that what I looked for so much has arrived.
Today the super lightweight category concentrates many of the best pound-for-pound boxers and is the focus of attention of an industry eager to hold great fights and generate million-dollar profits. The Americans Gervonta Davis, Davin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Regis Prograis, the Puerto Rican Subriel Matias, the British Jack Catterall and Josh Taylor, the Honduran Teófimo Lopez, the Cuban Rolly Romero and the Mexican Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz are some of the darling names by the large television networks to lead large billboards and PPV sales. Lemos’ chance of entering that circuit of prestige and money is possible if he leaves a good impression against Hitchins, who has an undefeated record of 17 wins, of which seven were before the limit. He has the conditions, although he will have to change many things.
-Do you feel mentally and physically prepared to face the tough commitments that may arise in superlight?
-I think I can’t waste any more time and I need this type of fight to demonstrate my abilities. I am mature enough boxingly and mentally to test myself against the best and know where I stand.
-How are you adapting from going from light to superlight?
-I feel very strong and very comfortable. I am not obliged to take such care of myself at meals. In the last few months it was very difficult for me to go light, I was very stretched. Now I’m almost in category with plenty of time. Furthermore, the speed and power of my blows did not change.
-If you beat Hitchins, would you like to have a World Cup chance with Subriel Matías or would you prefer another rival?
-My dream is to be world champion. I’m willing to fight whoever I get. Matías is a very good champion and, by style, it would be a nice fight. At this level it is not worth being afraid or seeking preferences. Now I’m thinking about Hitchins, then I’ll see…