Montreal boxer Joachim Alcine, coming off a knockout loss in his last title fight, says he won't take his next opponent lightly after spending a year outside the ring.
Alcine (33-1-0, 19 KO) takes on 40-year-old American Eric Mitchell (22-5-1, 11 KO), who is known for fast and devastating starts.
"I have to pay close attention in the first round," said Alcine, a former WBA Super-Welterweight champion who lost the belt to Daniel Santos at Jarry Park in July.
Alcine, 33, says he's well prepared for Friday's match at the Montreal Casino. He has seen film of his opponent and he has a new trainer: Buddy McGirt, a New Yorker who has worked with Antonio Tarver as well as the late prizefighters Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest.
"I had never seen Joachim box and I was eager to find out what kind of a boxer he was," said McGirt.
"I have a feeling that he'll regain his world title one day."
Switching styles
Alcine and McGirt have been working together for two weeks, during which time the boxer has faced an array of sparring partners while modifying his style for the big match.
"Before, I was training with a technique that was not mine," said Alcine.
My trainer has set things up to be easier for me in the ring."
Rematch
Alcine hopes to one day get a rematch against Santos, who devastated him in the sixth round before a shocked home crowd. His chances would suffer a critical blow were he to lose to Mitchell first but Alcine remains philosophical.
"If I lose, that's life," he said.
"I'll understand right away that god has had other plans for me."
