Stonewalker fighting world-title bout

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Danny Stonewalker says he is ready for his title fight with World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight champion Michael Moorer.

And it's a special fight to Stonewalker, since he's the first Albertan and Native Canadian to challenge a world title holder.

"By the way, Poppy will be with me," Stonewalker smiles about his four-year-old daughter who was there when he won a 12-round majority decision over David Fiddler of Edmonton in defence of his light heavyweight crown.

He says Moorer has never been over seven rounds and if Stonewalker has his way the fight could go the full 12 rounds declared by the WBO.

"I figure the way to beat Moorer is don't slug it out with the guy. If I box with him, he'll mellow," smiles Stonewalker.

he fight for the WBO title is scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Civic centre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the last two weeks the Fort McMurray-born fighter has been training at Frank Lee's gm in Edmonton . His last fight (July 31) was with Fiddler

Stonewalker's record now stands at 16-5-1 (11KOs).

Still he has a strong opponent in Michael Moorer. His record is 22-0-0 -- all KOs.

Stonewalker's trainer Murray Greig says Detroit matchmakers favor Moorer 50-1.

"But I don't buy that," Greig says.

"A lot can happen from the stool to the middle of the canvas. If Danny decides to slug it out with Moorer, he's dead. B ut Danny can box and he moves. Danny's fast, so it's a real ace in the hole for Danny," Greig adds.

Stonewalker says he know Moorer's weaknessess.

"Morer's never been tested on his chin. He's had all KOs because everyone he went up against tried to box it out with him.

"I have a strong right hand and I'll be testing Moorer."Stoonewalker says.

Greig says Moorer has the best power punch in the league and he's a southpaw. "But Stonewalker has fought left-handed fighters before.

"The key to Danny's success is not to stand and trade punches with Moorer. It will all come down to style. Danny must box and move. If he gets Moorer into the seventh or eighth round, then anything can happen," Greig says.

Greig says opponents become uneasy of Moorer's reputation as a power hitter.

"I mean the guy has had 22 KOs. But Danny's aware of this and if you know Danny, then you know it doesn't get to him," Greig notes. And Stonewalker has some talented Edmonton fighters to spar with.

"As a pro Danny has never had the luxury of this much lead time for training and he has Ken Lakusta and Glenn Blum to train with. Danny will be ready,"says Greig, who Stonewalker calls his "trainer from hell."

During the last week leading up to the fight Stonewalker will be sparring with super middleweight Larry Musgrove , a Southpaw from Las Vegas.

"Larry is a lot like Moorer so it'll help Danny to spar with him," Grieg says.

Stonewalker is ranked number three in the world in his division and he's confident of taking the title away from Moorer.

"There are things I have to work on, my right hand, backwards running. Moorer comes out strong. I'll stay away from him and work on him.

"He's not been tested on the chin and in the long run Moorer's mine," says Stonewalker.