Pittsburgh
Sports Report December 2004 |
 |
| Faces
To Watch In 2005 Abraham Okine Abraham 'African Assassin' Okine is off to a good start. Okine, 14-0, is currently IBCA America's World Heavy-weight Champion. The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder from Ghana, Africa is already 32-years-old. Still, trainer Al McCauley says Okine is in great shape and possesses the natural ability so coveted in fighters: speed and power. 'His work ethic is so good; he's a real joy to work with,' said McCauley. 'He could fight everyday; he's in such good shape. You can't stand toe-to-toe with him because when he punches, they feel it.' McCauley, who also trains former WBA, IBF and IBC Lightweight champ Paul Spadafora, has trained Okine since fall 2004. Hal Wrigley is Okine's manager. Wrigley also manages Okine's countryman, NABC lightweight champ 'Sugar' Ray Narh. While visiting his sister in Pittsburgh on a break from the Ghana National Team's tour of America, Okine met Wrigley and the two forged a relationship. Wrigley, McCauley and Okine's promoters are hoping for a bout with Mike Tyson sometime in mid-2005. They'd like to get his record to 17-0 or so before taking on Tyson. Okine fought and defeated former WBA Heavyweight champ Tony 'TNT' Tubbs in 2003, knocking the ex-champ down twice in the first round. 'You just can't teach somebody that natural twitch,' says Jimmy Cvetic of Iron City Pro Boxing, Okine's promoter. 'He's the guy who's going to end Tyson's career.' Darrin Walls, Woodland Hills Good corners are hard to find. And that makes Woodland Hills' junior cornerback Darrin Walls a hot commodity. At 6'1', 175 lbs, Walls has already drawn attention from Louisville, Pitt, Michigan, Ohio State, and NC State. 'He's a very fast and athletic cover corner, plus he is over 6-feet. Cover corners with his skills and size are highly coveted,' says recruiting expert Chris Dokish. Count Joe Butler of Metro Index among those impressed with Walls. 'He can cover on the corner, he has excellent defensive recognition, good formation and play recognition,' says Butler. Walls also returns kicks as Woodland Hills tries to take advantage of his 4.4 speed. 'His speed in the open field is remarkable,' said the Tribune Review's Kevin Gorman.'It looks like he has a second gear that he can just kick into. When you start as a sophomore for Woodland Hills, you know you are special.' Michigan has landed two of Woody High's best in recent years in Steve Breaston and Ryan Mundy. It is unclear how that will affect Walls' college choice. 'Pitt is always number one on our players' lists,' said Woodland Hills coach George Novak.'It's always the outside schools competing with Pitt.' Still, Gorman says Walls is aware of the Michigan pipeline. 'It will have some influence,' said Gorman. 'He has already taken unofficial visits to Michigan and Ohio State. He'll basically have his pick because of his cover ability.' |
| Copyright © 1997-2005 Pittsburgh Sports Report [PSR] |