Homer ‘El Oso’ Fonseca will fight Hector ‘Hurricane’ Ferreyro with the International Boxing Council World Heavyweight Title on the line. The fighters square off on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Energy Arena in Laredo. Kingsville’s Homer ‘El Oso’ Fonseca (8-2-2) will face hometown fighter Hector ‘Hurricane’ Ferreyro (21-5) for the International Boxing Council World Heavyweight Title on Friday, August 6, at the Energy Arena in Laredo. Fonseca is confident he will put a stop to Ferreyro’s title reign that currently spans four successful defenses.

“I’m always ready for a fight,” Fonseca said. “I’m ready to get it on and I don’t think Ferreyro is going to like what I am going to give him in front of his home town.”

Even though his lengthiest career fight has gone no more than eight rounds, Fonseca is ready to go the full twelve against Ferreyro.

“If I had to, I would go a hundred rounds, but conditioning also has a lot to do with your mind,” Fonseca said. “If you feel you can’t go twelve rounds then you won’t, but I feel like I could go beyond that. I’m old school when it comes to boxing, I fight until the fight is over and I don’t lay down for anybody.”

Fonseca already has a belt in his trophy closet having captured the Texas Heavyweight Title by winning a unanimous decision over Austin fighter Fred Gatica in an eight-round main event rematch during ‘South Texas Young Guns I’ back in September 2009. El Oso, however, was not able to complete the physical requirements necessitated of him to defend the state title and his first defense – scheduled during STYG II on May 15 – was yanked at the last minute. Since the setback, Fonseca has rededicated himself.

“We have been getting up and running as early as 6 a.m.,” Fonseca said. “We run about two to three miles and then come here to the Twelfth Street Gym in the afternoons, plus I also do ranch work all day long so that is a big benefit too.”

Both pugilists have met in the ring before.

“About three years ago, Ferreyro was training for his IBC title shot and had Homer spar him in Corpus Christi in preparation for that fight, which Ferreyro won, and Homer did very well,” Trainer Jaime Cantu said. “Now, three years later, we’re the number one guy on Ferreyro’s list to defend his title. We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and Homer believes he has fought tougher opposition than what Ferreyro offers.”

In preparation for the title shot, Fonseca has been putting in ample roadwork.

“The biggest challenge we have right now is twelve rounds but when you have a world title on the line, true champions and athletes can find a way to perform in those additional rounds,” Cantu said. “We were only given a six week notice for this title fight and sometimes champions do that; they hold off as far as who they are giving the title shot to so they can catch their opponent off but Homer has had a good six weeks of solid training so we are going to do very well.”

Cantu mentioned that Fonseca’s May 15 cancellation may have ended up as a blessing in disguise.

“It was disappointing, but it was a matter of him just not getting registered on time,” Cantu said. “But the silver lining to that is because he missed that opportunity, it allowed us to be available to fight for the IBC world title. Fighting on May 15, Homer could have gotten cut or hurt which would have ruined our chances for the IBC title; so things happened for a reason, but Homer is a true warrior and a true champion.”

As for August 6, Cantu predicts that Fonseca will leave absolutely no doubt.

“Bottom line is yes, Homer is going to win and my prediction is Homer knocks him out,” Cantu said.