Cleveland, Ohio, welterweight Willie “Quiet Storm” Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs) has read his next opponent, Vincent Arroyo’s colorful remarks in the news, but is refusing to verbally hit back.
“As far as what he said, that’s what he’s supposed to say. We’re fighters. It doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve been boxing for 14 years, so it really doesn’t matter what anybody says or does.”
Nelson (16-0-1, 10 KOs), who stands an enormous 6′ 3″ tall, will face 23-year-old Arroyo (10-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round televised bout on Showtime’s fantastic ShoBox “The New Generation” Triple Header entitled “Rumble on the Rio” from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas on April 8.
According to Nelson, his Showtime network debut will be a quick one.
“I’ll win by second-round knockout,” he says with certainty. “He (Arroyo) just walks forward with no head movement and has little or no defense. He stands square and keeps his elbows out. I see too many things I can beat him with.”
Before turning pro at age 18, quick-fisted southpaw Nelson had over 230 amateur fights and was ranked #1 in the United States. He is also a former USA and European amateur champion.
Nelson has been trained by mentor and father figure Renard Safo his entire career.
“I’ve been training Willie since he was a kid,” recounts Safo. “A lot of tall guys can’t hit hard, but Willie’s not one of them. Willie could hit when he was 10 years old. Vincent Arroyo is talking stuff like the height makes no difference, but once he feels Willie’s power, he’s gong to think twice.”
Safo also trains up-and-coming prospects Prenice Brewer, Yaundale Evans, Brett Simmons and USA Boxing number one amateur middleweight in the country, Terrell Gausha.
Even though Nelson hasn’t been on national television before, Safo also says added nerves most likely won’t be an issue.
“When Prenice Brewer fought Patrick Lopez on ESPN, he got stage fright so bad he just froze. I don’t think Willie will do that. Willie has been training his whole life for this and he wants to be champ.”
Safo agrees with Nelson that Arroyo has bitten off more than he can chew. “Don’t forget, Willie is tall for this weight class and Arroyo is small for the weight. We just have to keep boxing and not get caught up in his kind of fight. We’ll just stay focused and it should be an easy fight if we stick to the plan.”
Willie Nelson says he’s not getting lured into a verbal fight before his real fight. Vincent Arroyo can do all the tough talking he wants.
Of course, when you’re 6′ 3″, it’s not that hard to take the high road.
