8/4/06 - article by Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com
Aucoin faces first fight since winning IBU title
It seems like only a few weeks ago that Bobby "The Bayou Bomber" Aucoin won the International Boxing Union's U.S.
light welterweight title.
Now, six weeks later, the Scott product is preparing for another bout, this one coming Aug. 12 when he's part
of the "Fight Night" card at Paragon Casino in Marksville.
John Rowland/jrowland@theadvertiser.com
Bobby Aucoin holds his IBU U.S. light welterweight title belt.
"I only took off for about a week ... maybe less than that," Aucoin said Saturday just prior to a
sparring session with debut pro Heath Nicols of Alexandria. "I've pretty much been training ever since.
But it's been great. I feel really good, like I'm ready for anything."
Anything is what Aucoin could get in the co-main event of "Fight Night," a five-bout card that includes Nicols,
Acadiana-area fighters Blake Prevost and Kasha Chamblin and a main event that features former WBA world
featherweight champion Derrick Gainer.
Kerry Daigle, Aucoin's manager, said a planned opponent pulled out of the fight, and matchmakers are
scrambling to find a foe for the unbeaten (17-0-1, 9 KO's) Aucoin.
"It's getting tougher and tougher to find opponents," Daigle said. "They know what he's done and they're
not sure they want to get in there with him."
"It seems like it happens pretty regularly," Aucoin said. "Maybe they get scared a little."
Aucoin didn't do anything to change those feelings back on June 17, when he knocked out Tennessee's
Donnell Logan in two rounds at Blackham Coliseum to win the IBU U.S. crown. Logan had fought U.S.
Olympian Chad Aquino to a hotly-contested draw in his last bout.
Aucoin said the lack of advance knowledge of his opponent isn't a major hindrance, although he admitted
to being nervous about making sure someone will be in the other corner in two weeks.
"I'd like to know who I'm fighting, but I train to fight any style," he said. "You never know what
a guys' going to do once you get in the ring. I just hope that we get somebody pretty soon so we
don't have to worry about that.
"Whoever it is, I try to get in the ring and control the fight. I get in there and do what I need to
do, and try to make them do what I want them to do."
The scheduled eight-rounder will be Aucoin's fourth over that distance and his fifth bout since
moving up to 140 pounds (junior welterweight) from 135 (lightweight). The bout will likely be
his last at the eight-round distance, since Daigle's plans are to position Aucoin for televised
bouts and a potential major title fight in 2007.
The bout also won't be one where Aucoin risks his IBU U.S. belt, but that doesn't mean it's any
less important considering those future plans.
"Every fight I have is important," he said. "I have to keep winning to make sure everything is set up
for next year, so it seems like I'm fighting for a championship every time."
Originally published August 2, 2006
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