Big move to the US on agenda for Kerry.

Byline: Ian Caleb

AFTER a series of ups and downs, doctors' visits and runs through the desert, Kerry Hope may be ready to settle down - in America.

The Merthyr Tydfil boxer is enjoying the start of his US boxing career, with a programme of fights leading up to what could be the biggest match of his career - against former world light-middleweight champion Kassim "The Dream" Ouma in late November.

And, if all goes well for the 27-year-old southpaw, he may make his temporary home in America more permanent as he seeks further successes.

After a solid points victory over Canadian Daniel Stanislavjevic at the Nokia Arena in Los Angeles put an end to a nightmare 18 months, Kerry is scheduled to face Mexican Benjamin Diaz at the same venue.

The 38-year-old has a 10-3 record with two draws, and Kerry said he's feeling confident, although he's not taking the knockout specialist too lightly.

"I've been watching a bit of footage on him, and you can see on tape how strong his right hand is," he said.

"But I know what I've got to do, I'm training hard, as fit as hell and I'm not too worried."

When leaving Wales for a chance on a Golden Boy productions card and a fresh start to a career sidetracked by two successive losses to Taz Jones and Matthew Hall, the light-middleweight said a new training regime may be just what he needed.

And, speaking from his Lake Arrowhead base after a five-mile run in the desert, Kerry hopes the extra fitness will pay off.

"When you are running in the desert, there's no water in the air, it's something I've never experienced before," he said.

"But I can feel the benefits already. I had six rounds of sparring recently, and afterwards we felt it was going so well I could do another one.

"Sadly that's when my sparring partner's glove glanced across my eyebrow and opened me up, so I've got to give that a chance to heal which is why the September 24 match isn't happening."

After his October 10 date with Diaz, Kerry will travel coast to coast to take on another opponent in Minnesota, followed by a whistlestop visit home before his November encounter with Ouma, results permitting.

With two fights in eight days followed by a match against one of the big guns of boxing - Kassim has knocked out 16 opponents and has only lost one fight to a TKO - casual fight fans may not be familiar with such a gruelling schedule, but Kerry said it's all part of his livelihood.

"People such as Joe Calzaghe, who have world success, will always have fewer fights - although with the money they earn, they don't have to take as many," he said.

"I'll have six rounds against Diaz and then 10 against my second opponent, which, with a bit of luck, should set me up for Ouma."

Kerry would like to thank sponsors the Fountain Shop for their support from across the pond.

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Merthyr's Kerry Hope could be settling down in America