By Liam Napier
Finally, it's on. Shane Cameron's power versus Danny Green's speed.
Those contrasting styles will come to blows in a trans-Tasman battle for the vacant IBO world cruiserweight title in Melbourne on November 21.
Cameron, the underdog battler, feels he has earned this chance after years of toil.
"Ever since I started boxing it was my dream to fight for a world title," an enthusiastic Cameron told Fairfax Media.
"It's awesome that it's come true. It's going to be a great journey - and I'll make sure I take care of business."
With American Antonio Tarver stripped of his IBO crown after testing positive for steroids, the Cameron (31-2) Green (37-5) match-up has arrived, after two years of empty promises.
"For a while there he didn't want to fight me," Cameron said. "He kept changing the goalposts."
Cameron will be the first New Zealand-born boxer to contest a world title fight in 84 years, while Green is bidding to create a legacy, as the first Australian to claim four world titles.
Western Australian Green is a technically smart boxer with sharp speed and timing; Gisborne-born Cameron will look to impose himself physically.
"It suits my speed, but he is a bigger man naturally so his size, strength and power will make it difficult to contend with," Green, the former three-time cruiserweight champion, told Fairfax Media. "I'm going to have to counter that by using my experience.
"My old style was a brawler, a banger; get them out of there, similar to what Shane Cameron is. After appreciating the finer arts of boxing I've evolved a little more. Shane is not a complicated fighter to work out. The challenge lies in trying to overcome his will and intent which you can't determine until the bell goes on the night."
Two months ago, Cameron extinguished any doubts about that will when he rejuvenated his career with a devastating fourth-round knockout of Monte Barrett. However, that dominant display was in the more accustomed heavyweight division.
At cruiserweight (90.7kg), Cameron is undefeated in four fights, but he will have to shed nearly nine kilograms for the clash at the Rod Laver Arena.
"I'm 86kg dripping wet," Green, a blown-up lightweight, emphasised. "I hope dropping the weight is a real challenge for him, because I'm giving away the advantage in size and power."
The danger for Cameron is the significant loss of weight could also mean his strength decreases.
"It will suit him more than me," Cameron admitted. "He walks around at that weight, but he knows full well I'm the stronger boxer. I won't have the same power as I did when I fought Barrett, based on the weight I have to lose, but I'm still going to be cruiserweight strong."
Cameron's biggest advantage is, again, his relative youth. He is five years younger than Green, 39.
Cameron couldn't have picked a better time to meet the aging Green, who comes off two defeats - against Tarver and WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk - in his last three fights.
"I'm definitely in the twilight of my career," the 39-year-old Green said. "This is probably going to be my last fight. I want to make sure I defeat Shane."
Despite the age comparisons, and because of the weight factor, Cameron is likely to be the underdog.
"I want to bring the title back to New Zealand," Cameron said.
"It's been a long time since a New Zealander held a world title. I've never lost to an Aussie and I don't intend to start."
ADD COMMENT VIEW COMMENTS (3)