| |
|
|
Atif Oberlton Camp Notes
Undefeated light heavyweight contender Atif “Lord Pretty
Calvo” Oberlton (15-0, 13 KOs) is locked in as he nears
closing out camp ahead of his co-main event appearance on
Saturday, May 9 at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. He will
defend his WBA Continental Americas and WBC USA Light
Heavyweight titles against former IBO World Champion Carlos
Góngora (22-3, 17 KOs) as part of a stacked night of BIG
TIME BOXING USA action, headlined by Angelo Leo vs. Ra’eese
Aleem for the IBF Super Featherweight Championship.
The bout, presented in association with Manny Pacquiao
Promotions and Route 30 Promotions, headlines a high-stakes
fight card aimed at reestablishing Atlanta as a destination
for elite-level boxing.
The event will stream live worldwide on DAZN, at 8 p.m.
Góngora is a real test — a seasoned, durable former world
champion who has never been stopped and has proven himself
against high-level competition. His only defeats have come
by decision against top fighters, including Lester Martínez
(20-0, 16 KOs), Christian Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs), and Lerrone
Richards (19-1, 4 KOs). He also holds a win over Chris
Pearson (17-5, 12 KOs) and is best known for his dramatic
12th-round knockout of Ali Akhmedov (25-2, 17 KOs) in 2020,
showing he remains dangerous from start to finish.
Atif comes into this matchup on a run of dominance, with his
last seven wins all coming by stoppage. Most recently, he
knocked out Joseph George (13-2, 8 KOs) in the first round
on the co-main event of Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn,
ending the fight before he could fully showcase his range.
Against a fighter like Góngora, a clear decision win moves
him forward — but a stoppage sends a statement. It
reinforces his position in the division, pushes him up the
rankings, and brings a world title within reach.
The Philadelphia native returned to Pittsburg for training
camp under the guidance of coach Tom Yankello, locked in
throughout camp, elevating every layer of his craft as he
prepares to defend his titles and continue his climb toward
a world title opportunity May 9.
Here’s what he had to say as he closes out camp:
Atif acknowledges the opportunity in front of him, but says
his mindset and preparation remain the same regardless of
opponent.
“I got full respect for him and what he’s accomplished —
he’s a tough guy, former world champion for a reason,” Atif
said. “But my confidence is in my work and what we’ve been
doing in camp with my coach. We treat every opponent the
same, like a real threat, and we prepare the same way every
time. This is what we train for. I’m going to go out there
and do what Lord Pretty Calvo does. At the end of the day,
he’s just another body in the way of me and a world title.”
Atif says he isn’t focused on forcing a finish, trusting his
preparation and approach to dictate how the fight unfolds.
“I’m not going in there looking to rush a stoppage,” Atif
said. “If it comes, it comes — forcing it is never the
answer. I’m going in there relaxed, just doing what I do.
That’s something Terence Crawford taught me, and it’s really
taken my game to another level. At the end of the day, I’ve
been beating on grown men my whole life. When I won Golden
Gloves at 17, I was already in there with guys who were
older, bigger and had more experience than me. This is just
another day at the office.”
Atif says this fight is about expanding his presence into a
new market and taking over another major city.
“It means a lot to me, introducing Lord Pretty Calvo to
Atlanta,” Atif said. “I’ve always been a fan of their
culture and their music — shout out to Young Thug, Wham,
Young Nudy, 21 Savage, Belly Gang Kush, YK Niece. For me
it’s just a takeover. I wanna take over the world, Pinky —
and Atlanta is just the start.”
Atif says this version of “Lord Pretty Calvo" is about
elevation in every detail, from his appearance to his
performance in the ring.
“When you look good you feel good, you fight good. I’ve been
working on every part of me to make sure I show up and show
out on fight night. The more updated version of Lord Pretty
Calvo this camp is continuing to lock in and working on my
skin care routine,” Atif said. “Looking more handsome like I
always do. I plan to look better every fight in and out the
ring, using the jab and the tools Tom gave me to go out
there and dominate my opponent and make it look pretty.”
Atif credits his role model Pernell Whitaker for his style,
while making it clear the division still hasn’t seen the
full version of him.
“Pernell Whitaker is my favorite fighter of all time and
that’s who I model myself after,” Atif said. “I see myself
being the greatest fighter of all time. I got the speed, the
sharpness, the power, the IQ. What my weight class hasn’t
seen yet is me fully showing all my skills because every
time I fight I pull a new bunny out the hat — I’m always
doing new magic tricks. Shout out to Tom, I appreciate
that”.
Atif says this camp wasn’t about one adjustment, but
sharpening every layer of his game.
“There’s not just one thing that’s sharper about my game
coming into this camp than it was in Detroit,” Atif said. “I
feel like everything is sharper. If you think you’ve seen a
beautiful jab from me, you’re going to see an even more
beautiful jab this time. Whatever my opponent brings, I’m
going over top of that — I’m bringing everything that needs
to be brought.”
Atif says his preparation remains consistent, staying ready
for every scenario whether the fight ends early or goes the
distance.
“I prepare the same way I always prepare,” Atif said. “I’m
always training my butt off, running the extra mile, doing
the extra rounds. I don’t look for the knockouts, they just
happen. I just did 15 rounds the other day, five different
people back to back. It makes no difference — I’ma come
ready and trim everytime.”
Salita Promotions continues to build momentum across key
markets, delivering high-level fights that elevate both
rising contenders and established names. With its Atlanta
debut on May 9, the promotion brings BIG TIME BOXING USA to
a new city, showcasing a deep roster of talent in
meaningful, entertaining matchups as fighters like Atif
continue their ascent toward the top of the sport.
|
|
|
