Champ back in swing

Layla McCarter has been missing from the boxing ring for so long, there was a temptation to look for the champion on the side of a milk carton.

The truth is, McCarter has been in Las Vegas all along. She just couldn't find anyone willing to fight her at 135 pounds for the right price.

The WBA and GBU women's lightweight champion returns from an 11-month ring hiatus today against a familiar opponent, Fujin Raika of Japan, in the main event of an American Boxing Promotions card at the South Point arena and equestrian center.

McCarter and Raika fought in 2002 in Raika's hometown of Tokyo and McCarter won an eight-round majority decision. This time they're scheduled for 10 rounds, and the five-bout card begins at 7 p.m.

McCarter, 30, hasn't fought since Aug. 15 when she successfully defended her Global Boxing Union title, beating Lori Munoz in a 10-round unanimous decision at the Orleans. McCarter hadn't planned on such a long layoff.

"We had a change of promotion and decided to go in a different direction," she said. "I was supposed to fight in May in Italy, but the girl pulled out.

"I'm just anxious to get back in the ring and fight. I don't care who it is."

McCarter (31-13-5, seven knockouts) admits the long break took a mental toll.

"You can only train so much," she said. "After a while, you start to lose your motivation. But I did a lot of sparring and I'm ready to go."

Luis Tapia, McCarter's trainer and manager, said he doesn't expect any significant ring rust against Raika, who is 18-5-1 with six knockouts.

"She's in the gym all the time, and when you've had 50 or so fights, you shouldn't have any concerns," Tapia said.

Actually, tonight's fight will be McCarter's 50th. She said her goal is to get to 100 bouts.

"I'm running out of time, so that's probably not realistic," she said. "But I would like to fight four or five times a year for the next five years."

McCarter graduated from College of Southern Nevada in May with a degree in criminal justice. She's not sure what she'll do with her degree, but figures it will come in handy after she's done boxing.

"It can't hurt to have it," she said.

Tapia said tonight's fight probably will be McCarter's last as a lightweight. His plan is to move her up to 140 pounds and generate more activity.

"She's beaten everyone at 135, so moving up is the next logical step," Tapia said. "She can get bigger fights, make more money and win another championship."

But first things first. McCarter wants to keep her WBA and GBU belts against Raika, who was willing to travel to McCarter's hometown in hopes of avenging her 2002 loss.

"I'm sure she's going to come out and try and pressure me more than in our first fight," McCarter said. "To be honest, I don't know how relevant that fight is. We're both much different fighters from when we first fought each other in Tokyo. My style has changed. I'm more of a puncher now and I'm much more experienced.

"I probably have a little edge knowing I beat her in Tokyo and I can beat her here."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.