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YANKOVICH
LOOKING FORWARD TO CHALLENGE OF TAKING ON WOMENS’ BOXING’S BEST
By Andy Rivera
(APR 27) This coming June 5th, Duda Yankovich will travel to the
United States for the first time; her mission to fight
pound-for-pound women’s best fighter in Holly Holm.
Yankovich wants nothing more then to fight the best.
”This is what I have prepared for in my 20 years of experience
in kickboxing, martial arts and boxing, I don’t want to fight
someone mediocre, I want the fight the best and I’m honored to
get this opportunity to fight Holly.” stated Yankovich.
In piling up her undefeated record of 11-0 (5kos) Yankovich has
never ventured out of Brazil but sees no issues with fighting
Holm in her hometown of Albuquerque, NM. ”I have no problem
fighting in her hometown, I actually prefer it that way, there
is less pressure on me.”
”I have been in combat sports for over 20 years , having first
kickboxing in Serbia and Brazil, but it was after I won the Jr.
Pan American games that I decided to turn professional in
boxing.”
In fighting Holm, Yankovich who holds the WIBA Jr. Welterweight
Champion will be fighting Holm at 147, yet Duda feels up for the
challenge.
”I don’t see it as a problem fighting at welterweight; I usually
fight above my natural weight anyway, so fighting at 147 isn’t a
worry; plus I don’t like to drop weight.”
”I am preparing for Holm by doing a lot of sparring and I don’t
see the altitude being an issue in fighting Holly. I lived in
Serbia where it has a high elevation so I’m used to it.”
When asked if she has seen Holm fight, Yankovich stated “Enough
to take the fight. ”I will watch some her fights on
Youtube, but I know enough to take the fight and challenge.”
Come June 5th Yankovich feels she has what it takes to beat
Holm, “I see myself as a fighter who likes to think inside the
ring, I like to box, but I can also turn it up and be aggressive
if I have to. It depends on how my opponent reacts.”
Both Holm and Yankovich have one common opponent in Brenda
Laracuente, both winning by decision. Yankovich in 2007, Holm
last year.
Training Yankovich is former WBC Jr. Middleweight champion
Miguel De Olivera, who like Yankovich fought all but one fight
outside Brazil, losing his title to Elisha Obed in France.
Yankovich sees her venture different though.
”I will be prepared and do the best that I can in order to win
the biggest fight in my career, I don’t like to talk much with
attitude and I respect everyone who gets in the ring, but come
fight time you can expect to see me at my best.”
Yankovich and Holm will fight for Holm’s WIBA Welterweight crown
at Isleta Casino and Resort June 5th. |
