Letizia ready to go out in a war

As part of the promotional team putting on tonight's seven-fight boxing show at the WA Italian Club, it's no surprise David Letizia wants the main event to be a 12-round ding-dong.

What might raise a few eyebrows is that he still feels the same way even though he'll be fighting in it.

At 44, Letizia is having his final bout before retirement when he goes in against former victim Rob Powdrill.

There are easier ways of signing off than taking on a multi-decorated Thai boxing champion 14 years his junior, especially one coming off a spectacular one-punch win over trumpeted former Olympian Damien Hooper.

But for Letizia it'll be the perfect send-off.

"Even though I beat him last time (in 2009) I know it’s going to be a war. I really, really hope it goes the distance and there’s two warriors at the end. I’ll give him the biggest hug and I’ll be on my way and leave the rest to him," Letizia said.

"Rob’s a fighter and he’s a gentleman as well. Underneath all of the tattoos and macho stuff, he’s a gentleman and he’s got a good heart. I’ve got a lot of respect for the man.

"I sent him a message prior to his fight against Hooper wishing him all the best and I said, 'What that guy has got in ability you make up for in heart. Go for it, keep your hands up and you’ve got nothing to lose and plenty to gain'. And he done that.

"He’s the sort of guy who would never take a backward step, he’s got a heart bigger than Ben Hur and I’m proud to be able to fight him as well."

Letizia made his pro debut in 1995 against Corey Bricker at Fremantle Oval. It was the same year Mike Tyson returned after three years in prison and the same year Manny Pacquiao made his bow.

But while the Filipino superstar has had 64 fights, tonight's contest for the IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight belt will be only Letizia's 17th.

"I retired for 12 years to concentrate on work," he said.

"I worked with dad, we had a family business - scrap metal and truck repair - we worked side by side.

"Then my father died, and I realised I needed to keep going and get back (into boxing). But it's still hard (his father's passing) eight years on."

The desire to devote more time to his own family is partly behind Letizia's reason for packing up. His body is also telling him enough's enough, while there is the growing CDL Boxing promotion he runs with business partner Ty Colman.

"The body can’t hold up any more," he said. "Getting older, it's harder to maintain. I love the sport, I love being in there and the rush that goes with it, but I’ve got two young kids at home and it’s time to think of them.

"It’s a very selfish spot, it’s all about yourself come fight time, everything else goes on the back-burner – work, family.

"Also it’s time to carry my end of the promotion things. This will only going to get stronger and stronger.

"I'm really ecstatic with how things are going (with CDL) because there’s no bulls**t there with us. We put on good fights, we look after our fighters, and the rest speaks for itself.

"Our word means a lot to a lot of people and we’ve got a good name around the country and I’m very proud to be a part of it.

"But that doesn't mean I'm not going to miss fighting.

"People have been asking me when I’m going to retire, saying you’ve got nothing left to prove. I tell them it’s not about proving anything. Until you’ve been in there and you’ve fought, and you’ve done that walk into the ring and you feel that buzz go through your body where nothing’s going to move, it’s unexplainable.

"A fighter will tell you. This fight, I’ve been so up and down about it. Being the last one, not putting any pressure on myself, I just want to show this guy shouldn’t be giving up but he’s giving up because he wants to."

FULL CARD

Cruiserweight David Letizia v Rob Powdrill (12 rounds)

Minimumweight Louisa Hawton v Angor Onesongchaigym (8 x 2)

Featherweight Nathaniel May v Anshori Anhar Pitulay (6)

Light-middleweight Jamie Weetch v Ben Kuhanez (6)

Middleweight Wes Capper v Kiatchai Singwancha (6)

Cruiserweight Daniel McGlashan v Kurtis Pegoraro (4)

Super-middleweight Liam Vernon v Dean Purdon (4)