It didn’t take Manny Robles lengthy to determine how he may assist Sultan Zaurbek.
Zaurbek, 17-0 (12 KOs), arrived in California earlier in 2024 and the skilled coach rapidly realised that though the unbeaten Kazakh has the flexibility wanted to rule the super-featherweight division, he wanted taking out of his consolation zone.
Robles gained’t be in Zaurbek’s nook when he packing containers Argentina’s Roman Reynoso, 22-4-2 (10 KOs), on the Wasserman promotion in Bolton this weekend, as a result of he’s in Las Vegas the place his WBO featherweight champion, Rafael Espinoza, defends his title towards Sergio Sanchez on Friday night time. Nonetheless his son Manny Jnr has crossed the Atlantic, and Robles desires Zaurbek to show among the aggression and depth they’ve began to demand from him.
“He’s , technical fighter,” Robles instructed BoxingScene. “We’ve gotta carry that canine out of Sultan.
“He’s received a number of potential however he’s received some issues to study – particularly on the highest stage in boxing. It doesn’t get simpler – it will get more durable. With that, it’s essential step up and that’s precisely what I’ve been getting from Sultan as of late. It’s been a six-or-seven week camp and issues have been going effectively. Now it’s time to carry out.”
The skilful Zaurbek has sailed by means of his first 17 fights, however he has additionally proven an inclination to cruise. His method has labored completely to date – he has damaged down and stopped 5 of his previous six opponents and is ranked extremely by the IBF and the WBA – however Robles is aware of that finally Zaurbek will share the ring with fighters who might be able to forcing him out of his rhythm and to struggle at their tempo.
Robles has began instilling elevated urgency into the 28 year-old southpaw’s arsenal in order that when he out of the blue does discover himself having to dig deep and wrest again management of a struggle, the expertise doesn’t come as a shock.
“We now have to push him,” Robles stated. “We now have to take him to uncomfortable locations and put him in uncomfortable conditions. Not simply within the fitness center and within the ring however all over the place else. Every thing that goes into getting a fighter prepared for a giant struggle.
“I believe you’ll be able to educate anyone all the pieces. The one factor you’ll be able to’t educate is coronary heart. You both have it otherwise you don’t. Every thing else you’ll be able to work with. You possibly can educate a fighter find out how to field; find out how to jab; find out how to get out of conditions. You possibly can educate something however coronary heart. Sultan has received coronary heart however we’ve received to push him. You possibly can’t let him get too snug.”
The 130lbs division is house to some gifted fighters however it’s primed for someone to actually set up themselves because the fighter to beat. Robles believes that after Zaurbek has realized when and find out how to really impose himself on his opponents he has the potential to be that fighter.
“That’s what we’re on the lookout for,” he stated. “It’s one struggle at a time and you may’t change a fighter from at some point to the following. My job is to make him higher. My job isn’t to vary his fashion – he already has a set fashion – but when I can carry one thing to the desk and add to it to make him higher then I assume I’m doing my job.”
