By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

IBF #8 Billy Dib has held the IBO 130 pound title, but says he is now chasing IBF 126 pound champ Cristobel Cruz and also has IBO champ Jackson Asiku in his sight. He rates Rogers Mtagwa among his best wins and also treasures the relationship with Shane Mosley who was at ringside in Sydney, Australia to watch Billy fight in 2009.

You have held the IBO 130 pound title but are focused on capturing a major body world title in 2010. Are you confident of defeating IBF 126 champ Cristobel Cruz? Would you fight him in Mexico, USA or Australia?

I was only 22 years of age when I won the IBO world title and I think that I have improved substantially since then under the guidance of my trainer Mr Billy Hussein. We are looking forward to cornering Cristobel Cruz into a title fight by becoming the mandatory challenger. I am happy to face him in any country where the fight will be contested on even terms. I’d love to bring world class fights to Australia and follow in the footsteps of Danny Green and Roy Jones Jr.

IBO 126 champion Jackson Asiku issued a challenge to you after he defeated Heriberto Ruiz recently. Were you impressed with that win? Are you confident of beating Asiku?

I believe it was a good performance by Jackson against a limited and jet lagged fighter in Heriberto Ruiz, and it is an honor to be chased by a world champion. He obviously needs a name like mine on his record, and I’m happy he sees fighting Billy Dib as important because we both know who the best featherweight in Australia really is: Billy “the Kid” Dib. My message to Team Asiku is, as quoted famously by Jerry Maguire, “Show me the money!”

Top Thai 126 pounder Vacharakrit Senahan has also issued a challenge. You have taken up the challenge and will punch it out with him in Sydney during February. What are your thoughts?

I’m looking forward to facing Vacharakrit Senahan in 2010 but I will leave the negotiations of the bout with my management team and the professionals. I believe it would be an entertaining fight which will end in fireworks.

Do you regard Rogers Mtagwa as your best victory? Were you surprised he gave Juan Lopez a tough fight recently?

It is amongst my favorite victories and I was not at all surprised that he gave Juanma a difficult and nerve-racking fight for his corner. It just shows that I have the ability to mix it up with some of the best featherweights in the world. I believe styles make fights and I have the tools to dismantle Juanma Lopez.

Shane Mosley is your good friend and was at ringside to watch you fight in Sydney in 2009. It must Make you proud that he supports you. Your thoughts?

Shane and I have had a great relationship from the get-go and I know that he supports me and I’m appreciative of that. Its great to have an active champion as such a good friend as it gives me more drive to be as successful as he is. I wish him all the best for his upcoming bout against Berto and I’m sure he will show his pedigree once again.

Merry Christmas and successful new year Billy!

I’d like to thank all the fans and my sponsors for their ongoing support. And as my friends from “The Next” would say, “bring it on!”

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