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6/14/06 - article by Tom Dodge / Daily World 
Jeremy Duplechain (5-2, 4 KOs) lost his last fight in February and is in a "Do or Die" situation
heading into the rematch with Steve Verdin of Cut Off, who gave him the first of his two pro losses."I have a lot to prove to myself," Duplechain said. "I want to show everybody the real fighter I really am. "For me it is on the line," he admitted. "If I don't perform in this fight, I am stepping out." Duplechain, 26, said he has trained better for this fight and is in the best condition of his life heading into the battle with Verdin. "I am mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally prepared for this fight," he said. "Whatever I have to do to win this fight, I am prepared to do." While he still calls Lawtell home, Duplechain has returned to train in Church Point with his former amateur trainer David Nelams. "He is the reason I am what I am today," Duplechain said of Nelams. "I am the painting and he is the artist." Duplechain blamed himself for the last loss to Tyrese Hendrix (6-0) in front of more than 6,000 fans at Blackham Coliseum, the site of Saturday's card. "I thought I would take him out in the first round and I hardly trained," Duplechain admitted. "I learned never to underestimate anybody." While the loss was upsetting, Duplechain said it made him a better boxer. "I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason," he said. "If you don't learn from the loss, then it is a bad thing. If you learn from it, then it is not as much a bad thing." Verdin is a tough experienced fighter, but Duplechain said his plan to win Saturday is to outclass his opponent, hit but not get hit. "The first fight I went in there and tried to war with him," Duplechain said. "I will be smarter this time. "I am better prepared this fight. Anything he throws at me, I can take and overcome." Duplechain's manager Kerry Daigle said "The Crusader" has learned a lot in his seven fight pro career. "He thinks he is invicible because he is so self confident," Daigle said. "He knows who he is going into the ring with, but that is what he wants. "Personally, I am not worried about the fight." Daigle said Duplechain has improved as a boxer, even with two losses in seven fights. "I like what I see in Jeremy," Daigle said. "He is thinking straegy versus what he used to - power. "He has the power, but in the pros you are not going to knock everybody out, so you have to the skills to outclass your opponents." If Duplechain wins against Verdin, he gets one of the blemishes off his record. A loss and he could call it quits. Five bouts are scheduled for the "Do Or Die" professional boxing card at 7 p.m. Saturday at Blackham Coliseum. In addition to Lafayette's "Bad" Chad Broussard, also on the card are Bobby "The Bayou Bomber" Aucoin of Scott in a bout for the IBU's U.S. junior welterweight title. Duplechain's cousin, Blake "The Candyman" Prevost of Lawtell was scheduled to fight, but his opponent James Johnson of Shreveport withdrew from the card. Daniel Garcia, Broussard sparring partner, will also fight Saturday night. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for ringside. Tickets are available at Lafayette Tire and Service, Planet Nutrition, Red Lerille's Health & Racquet Club, Ambassador Caffery Car Wash and Jude Darbonne Hair and Body Spa in Lafayette, Chip's Grill and Bar and Frank's Grill and Bar in Opelousas, Michael's Meat Market in Crowley and Cajun Fitness in Rayne. If any tickets remain, they will be on sale Saturday at the Blackham Coliseum box office. Doors are slated to open at 5:30 p.m. Originally published June 14, 2006 |
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