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Undefeated Junior Middleweight James Moore Weighs His Options

Undefeated junior middleweight James Moore, 15-0 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, who fights out of Queens, New York, is itching for a fight. He wants to continue the momentum that began with his sensational 10 round decision victory over the much more experienced J.C. Candelo of Colombia in the main event of the March 15th pre-St. Patrick Day's show at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theater that was called "A Fistful of Shamrocks."

"I have been saying for years that I want big fights," said the 30-year-old Moore, a veteran of 314 amateur bouts and the former captain of the Irish national amateur team.

"By beating Candelo I proved that I am ready to move to the next level. I don't want any more easy fights. The only way I'm going to move my career forward is by fighting the best possible opponents."

Early in the week of April 21, Moore agreed to a bout with Ronald Hearns, 18-0 (14 KOS), the son of the legendary Thomas "Hitman" Hearns who fights out of Detroit. That fight was being looked at as the opening bout of an HBO tripleheader in June.

When HBO told promoters they were looking for more of a New York-themed show, Moore's matchmaker, Bruce Silverglade, said that Moore would be willing to fight Pawel Wolak, a hard-punching Polish-American with a 20-0 (14 KOS) record, or Andrey Tsurkan, a native of Ukraine who was 25-3 (16 KOS) going into an April 25 bout in the Bronx against Jesse Feliciano. Wolak and Tsurkan both fight out of New York.

"James is willing to fight anyone in the world," said Silverglade. "I keep getting inquiries from ESPN 2, Showtime and HBO. James and his team are very confident in his abilities. We are looking for high-profile opponents. I can assure that James is not the roadblock in any negotiations for a big fight."

During a meeting at Walker's restaurant, which is located on the corner of North Moore and Varick steeets in the Tribeca section of Manhattan on April 22, Moore emphatically stated that he is not only eager, but extremely willing to take on any fellow undefeated prospect, especially if the fight is televised on a major network.

"I've been fighting a long time and realize it is time to make my move," said Moore, who has postponed putting his 22 foot Grady White boat in the water for the season because of the possibility of going to camp to prepare for a major fistic challenge.

"I truly believe that this is going to be my year. I am very happy with the outcome of my fight with Candelo, and I would love to follow it up with a victory over someone like Hearns. If that fight does not get made, it's not going to because of me. I'm ready, willing and eager to fight him."

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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