By Michael J. Campbell & Luigi Fiorito
At 31 years old, Adailton “Precipício” (“Precipice”) de Jesus (26-4, 21 KOs), of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil still has dreams of becoming a world champion. Considering the number of entities that provide fighters title belts, one would think it would be easy to obtain for one of the best boxers from a large nation. But it’s not so easy if you’re Brazilian.
The country of soccer has only four boxing world champions in their history: Eder Jofre, Miguel de Oliveira, and the recent successes of Acelino “Popó” Freitas and Valdemir “Sertão” Pereira. Brazilian boxers don’t have the support necessary to build successful careers.
Adailton, who previously trained with both Popó and Sertão, finally is close to reaching his dream. But before that, he has a great test to pass. On June26th in San Antonio, Texas, the Brazilian warrior will face legendary Mexican fighter, the “Baby Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7, 43 KOs).
Adailton has a 3-4 record in bouts outside of Brazil. He won his first three appearances in the USA against Kevin Carmody, Reynaldo Hurtado and previously undefeated Noe Bolaños. After that, de Jesus fell upon tough times, losing three bouts in a row against Marcos Ramirez, Roinet Caballero and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
He then returned to his native country, notched a few victories, and then in 2009, found another disappointment in the form of a first round knockout loss against Argentinean boxer Oscar Pereyra. De Jesus was disappointed and contemplated retirement, but he found that he still had the will to be a world champion and to add his name to the list of Brazil’s greatest boxers of all time.
Training in Santana do Parnaíba, São Paulo, Brazil, Adailton rediscovered himself. With former fighter Edson “Xuxa” do Nascimento now as his trainer, de Jesus had a great camp preparing for the most important fight of his life. A win against the Mexican veteran boxer will gain him a spot in the rankings, and closer to his main objective as a fighter, a world title.
In his last days of preparation, Adailton was interviewed by BoxingScene.com & Round13.com.br, to talk about his career highlights, disappointments, training for the Barrera fight and his future goals.
BoxingScene.com: First of all, for those fans that aren’t very familiar with you, talk about how you began in professional boxing.
Adailton de Jesus: I started boxing because of a friend of mine, who was a fighter. He gave me my first lessons. I trained with Popó, and after that I had some amateur bouts. Then I started training at the Academia Champion, with Brazilian trainer Luiz Carlos Dórea.
BoxingScene.com: After winning your first 15 fights all by knockout, you had your first fight outside of Brazil, in Florida against Kevin Carmody, and won by majority decision. How was it fighting abroad for the first time?
Adailton: It was a great experience. I was a little nervous but I fought very well, I didn’t knock him out because he fought to avoid me, he just survived. He was a good and young fighter, but he underestimated me because I’m from Brazil. He told my trainer that he thought it would be an easy fight for him because I was unbeaten in Brazil. This occurred due to the campaigns of Brazilian fighters abroad, people always think that we are going to be knocked out. But it is not always like this, things are changing.
BoxingScene.com: In 2007, you had your most impressive win, against Mexican boxer Noe Bolaños. It was the first and only time that you faced a Mexican fighter. You won by unanimous decision, and had a good performance. Tell us your thoughts about this bout.
Adailton: It was a hard fight, but I had had the best training camp in my career up until that time. I had the attention of my team, including a nutritionist, and that’s something very unusual in Brazil. And all of this worked, I was in a great shape.
BoxingScene.com: Despite this win, the year of 2007 was very bad for you. You had 3 losses in a row, against Marcos Ramirez, Roinet Caballero and Yuriorkis Gamboa. How did you deal with all of it? Do you like to say something about any of those fights?
Adailton: It was a hard time. I had some problems outside of the ring, problems with my former manager and other things that I don’t like to talk about. I fought very well against Ramirez, but the judges saw a fight that didn’t exist, and they gave him the unanimous decision. Against Roinet Caballero it was even worse. The guy ran from me all night, it was ridiculous! I thought I was going to have a war, but he just ran. I still am looking for him till this day (laughs)! Against Gamboa I had a very good opponent, he’s a great fighter. He was the best fighter that I’ve faced. I hadn’t fought a great fighter like this in my career when I faced him, just on TV. It would be nice if I get another opportunity against him, after the Barrera fight. I fought well, but I couldn’t do anything, he had a great night.
BoxingScene.com: In 2008, you came back to Brazil, and got three wins. In 2009, you had the opportunity to fight in Argentina, against local fighter Oscar Pereyra. You were knocked out in the first round, and complained a lot about the conditions at that fight. How did this defeat affect your career?
Adailton: Very much. Still today this fight has affected my career. I almost didn’t get offered the fight against Barrera because of this. They thought that I was going to give up in the beginning of the fight. I get defamed because of this. It will never happen again, I swear. And if it happens, I will never fight again. I was in bad condition that night. I needed the money but had to lose so much weight for the fight. I was mistreated there and I’ll never accept another fight like that again.
BoxingScene.com: This fight against Marco Antonio Barrera will be the most important bout of your career. A win against him may put you in the world rankings, and allow you to fight for a world title. How is your training camp for this?
Adailton: Very strong. Everything is happening according to my plans. I’m training really hard, and I plan to slow down a little bit around the 18th, and then just start doing the aerobic training to keep my weight. If I win, I hope to have a world title shot next.
BoxingScene.com: With 30 professional bouts and almost 32 years of age, how is your body’s physical health during training and recovery?
Adailton: Well, I’ve been sparring 10 rounds every day. My sparring partners change out, and I stay there. I’m not getting tired. I’m running a lot and doing sprints on the soccer field. But if he’s 36 and is confident, imagine me at 32. I’m very confident for this.
BoxingScene.com: Did you do anything different in preparation for this fight? How did the fact that Barrera is a veteran fighter influence your training camp?
Adailton: Yes, my strategy is different from the way I’m used to fighting. But I think that it’s better to maintain as a secret. In the fight I’ll not be the aggressive Adailton that I’m used to. I intend to take the fight as long as I can, until one of us can’t fight anymore.
BoxingScene.com: His career began in 1990 and he hasn’t fought at his best since 2005. What level of fighter are you expecting from Barrera?
Adailton: I think he’ll be well trained, but I expect him to be without the correct distance and with somewhat less reflexes.
BoxingScene.com: In recent years there have been many great Mexican boxing champions including Chavez, Lopez, Sanchez, Marquez, Morales & Barrera. Did any of them or other fighters from Mexico have influence on you when you were a young boxer? How do you view the Mexican boxing style?
Adailton: I like the Mexican style, but the fighter that I always liked to watch and that influenced me a lot was Oscar De La Hoya. He’s not Mexican, but has his influences from the Mexican style. I don’t see big differences between Barrera’s style and Bolaños’. They are both very strong, believe a lot in their powerful hands, but don’t have great defense and aren’t as explosive as Gamboa.
BoxingScene.com: Marco Antonio Barrera has had many memorable fights, in which ones do you feel he was at his best?
Adailton: Against Erik Morales. Those fights were wars, I really liked those ones especially.
BoxingScene.com: What do you still intend to achieve as a professional boxer?
Adailton: If I win the bout against Barrera, I hope to have a chance to win a world title. If I lose, I don’t know yet.
BoxingScene.com: What do you expect from your this fight, knowing that everybody considers you an underdog?
Adailton: To win and prove that I can be a contender for a world title. Me, my family, my team, everyone expect this from me. The victory is what matters.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have any message for the boxing fans around the world?
Adailton: I expect to be the winner on the 26th in San Antonio. I want to be sure that I win, but I know that I can have problems if the fight goes to the judges’ scorecards. I just want my chance. Thank you all that believe in me, and for those who don’t, I see me as a winner, and I’m surely going for the victory.