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De Mori flies Don’s flag

 

Midsummer in Manhattan . . Mark De Mori joins Don King

Don King bestowed his trademark United States flag on Mark De Mori in New York last week, after signing up the young Australian heavyweight fighter.

Aussie manager Ted Allen, and DKP director of boxing Bobby Goodman, sealed a three-year deal that guarantees De Mori a minimum three fights a year in the United States.

On touchdown home, ‘Uncle Ted’ Allen said: “Prospects are exciting. They’ll call us in a week or two to fix our first fight. That could be in Madison Square Garden, perhaps September.

“The King team see many potentials in our kid. First, he’s 25, ten years younger than the current heavyweights, that means a long future. Second, he’s got an Italian name appealing to millions of Italian- Americans. Third, Mark is a white hope . . unlike those Russian heavies, they lack appeal in the USA.

“Fourth,” Allen went on, “his magnificent build will catch the further millions involved in body building. And best of all, the Dominator is a puncher, an attacking fighter. Exciting to watch.”

BACK in Perth, Mark De Mori told Fighter Online: “We were in Bridgeport, Conn. at a Don King promotion before the business in Manhattan. The flyweight Donaire who knocked out Vic Darchinyan was by far the best fighter on the card. Monte Barrett who’s fought for heavyweight titles was not frightening.”

Mark De Mori, the power figure in purple trunks, scored 10 knockouts in 11 wins, lost one and drew two. His people brought Lawrence Tauasa west for sparring.

“I’ve improved greatly since the Queensland period,” Mark said. “Con Venables, the football and tennis conditioner, has made me trimmer and faster, set for 10.” Currently De Mori turns the scale at 105 to 108 kg (16st 6lb to 17 stone). He aims to get lighter while hitting harder.