BRUNCH FOR PUNCH! MIGUEL BERCHELT SHOULDERS HIS GREEN AND GOLD BELT IN MEXICO CITY

Yabba, Dabba Yuca….Miguel “Alacran” Berchelt, who defeated Francisco “Bandido” Vargas in eleven bloody rounds in Indio, California, at the weekend, winning the world Boxing Council super featherweight title, was presented with the famous, prestigious and coveted green and gold belt, at Los Almendros Restaurant by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

And smiling, slim Miguel, also managed to comfortably slip a “I`m fighting for Mexico” tee shirt over his Oxford blue blazer.  Born in Cancun, and at home in Merida,  he adds his name to a distinguished list of world champions from the Yucatan including: “Guty Espadas, Lupe Madera, Juan Herrera, Miguel Canto and Freddie Castillo.  In presenting him the belt,  Mauricio Sulaiman explained the photos which adorn it.  One is the late Great Don Jose Sulaiman, then The Greatest Muhammad Ali,  plus the two greatest super featherweights of all time: Azumah Nelson and Alexis Arguello.

When at long last, it was Miguel`s turn to speak, he said it has taken ten long years of toil to reach his dream, and he achieved it in spite of not being the favourite for this fight.  He paid tribute to Francisco Vargas as a great and brave fighter, promising him a rematch, if or when his cuts heal. He also thanked everyone who`ve believed in him, as he believed in himself. He said he`s the eighth Yucateco and the second Quintanarrornse to win a world title.  The other guy is of course Rudy Lopez.

Miguel said to reporters: “This is the most beautiful belt I`ve ever seen and I`m so proud to be wearing it, with so many emotions. After I won it, I shed tears, as I had triumphed with my dreams.  I am so happy. All the sacrifices, diets and work in the gym have been worth it.”

Miguel wants to fight the best in the division including:  Lomachenko, Walters, Salido and Sosa, but he acknowledges that former WBC champion Takashi Miura is now the official WBC challenger and they will indeed fight.

Miguel said: “Takashi Miura is a very strong boxer. Him being a southpaw complicates things a little.  But I too am strong, I`m young (25) and I can hit hard with both hands.  Against him I`ll fight an intelligent fight and Miura will receive all that I throw at him.

“Miura is strong, but he`s not very intelligent.  He`s a kamikazie!”