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Friday, February 04, 2000
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegan Crayton says career might hinge on tonight's fight
By Kevin Iole
Review-Journal
The St. Louis Rams proved that the difference between winning and losing can be very thin. The Rams went from being one of the worst teams in the NFL last season to Super Bowl champions this year.
Las Vegan James Crayton is hoping the same principle is true in boxing.
Crayton has been close to breaking into the big time several times, but hasn't managed to win an important fight. His final shot might be tonight on ESPN2 (Cable 31), when Crayton fights Antonio Diaz in the 12-round junior welterweight main event of a card from the Fantasy Springs casino in Indio, Calif. The broadcast begins at 6.
Crayton, 31-11-2, has faced some top fighters, notably Ivan Robinson, Ahmed Santos, Juan Lazcano, Golden Johnson, Derrick Gainer and Gabriel Ruelas.
But in those fights, Crayton is 0-5-1. He was stopped in the 10th round by Gainer; lost decisions to Ruelas, Lazcano, Johnson and Robinson; and drew with Santos.
Crayton, 30, knows if he is ever going to fulfill his dream of winning a world title, he needs to beat Diaz. Time, he admits, is running out.
"I understand the situation," Crayton said. "I look at this as a must-win fight for me. At this stage of my career, I can't take a backwards step and, with all due respect to Antonio, a loss would be a backwards step. I have to beat him impressively, beat him up, and I understand that."
That task might not be easy.
Diaz holds the obscure International Boxing Association 140-pound title, but he's a solid fighter on a 21-bout winning streak. Diaz, too, is looking to improve his stature in the 140-pound division and figures to take the battle to Crayton.
Diaz has shown the ability to absorb tremendous punishment. Crayton knows he is in for a serious challenge, but he said his previous bouts have taught him he is good enough to win.
"I know for a fact that there are guys who are getting a shot to fight on HBO who can't fight," Crayton said. "But right now, at this stage of my career, people look at me as a spoiler. But I still have the skills. My skills haven't deteriorated. My biggest problem has always been a willingness to say yes and accept fights on short notice when I wasn't trained properly.
"My hope is that the boxing people who see me don't judge me solely on the past but on what I do (against Diaz). I have prepared well for this fight, and I think people who think James Crayton is through are going to be surprised."
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