Daniels Not Concerned by Norris’ Reputation : Boxing: Fighter says he has a chance to beat WBC champ.

However inviting the reward, it is hard to imagine anyone relishing the thought of fighting Terry Norris.

Norris, the World Boxing Council’s super welterweight champion, not only has won his past nine fights, he has punished people in the process. Three of the nine opponents, former world champions Sugar Ray Leonard, Donald Curry and John Mugabi, were pounded into retirement.

So the obvious question to Carl Daniels, who fights Norris Feb. 22 at the Sports Arena before an ABC-TV audience, is why? Why would an up-and-coming 21-year-old with an undefeated record (26-0, 17 knockouts) risk ruining his career against Norris (30-3, 16 knockouts), who at 24 is in the prime of his career?

“Most people think that I’m crazy taking this fight,” Daniels, of St. Louis, said at Monday’s press conference promoting the fight. “I don’t feel that I’m over my head or anything. I’ve got just as much talent as he does. I’m young, I’m eager. I want this fight bad. I’m going to win it.”

Which is exactly what Brett Lally told the San Diego media six months ago. But Lally never saw the second round against Norris last August at the Sports Arena.

Norris said he hopes Daniels will be more of a test than Lally, but he isn’t making any promises.

“He can’t wilt under pressure,” said Norris, who will be making his sixth title defense. “If so, no one’s going to ever want to see him fight again. He’s got to be able to go some rounds with the champ. I’m going to do my damndest to take him out.”

Norris took out Curry, who, ironically, now manages Daniels, last year in eight rounds. But Daniels said there are no similarities between Curry and himself.

“Donald was a good fighter, but Donald was 30 years of age and at the end of his career,” said Daniels, who trains under Paul Reyes and Henry Mendez in Arlington, Tex. “If he’d have fought Don at 21, that would have been a different story.”

Curry agreed, but he said youth isn’t Daniels’ only advantage.

“Carl has been successful all of his life as a fighter,” Curry said. “He has the right style to beat Norris. He’s more of a boxer than he is a puncher. He has some extremely good skills. He’s very deceiving. He’s very quick. If there’s anybody in this division that can beat him, it’s Carl.”

The fact that Daniels’ is left-handed would appear to give him another edge, but Norris doesn’t think so.

“I don’t really have a problem with (left-handers),” Norris said. “I’ve fought them a lot in the amateurs and twice as a pro. One I knocked out in the first round. The other, I beat in 10 rounds.”

Daniels’ rise to the top of all major boxing organizations has been a quick one. Only three years ago, he was fighting for the right to represent the United States in the Olympics--he lost in the finals of the 125-pound division to Ed Hopson. But 27 professional fights later, he is ranked second by the World Boxing Assn. as a welterweight and fifth by the WBC as a super welterweight.

Daniels said he is no fluke.

“I fought my way through the rankings,” said Daniels, whose last fight was an eight-round decision Oct. 12 over Anthony Ivory in France. “I deserve this opportunity. I fought hard making it to the top 10. Why not give me a shot at the title?”

Curry said he is certain Daniels will not blow his shot by being in awe of Norris.

“Carl is the kind of guy who says, ‘If God wanted you to win, you wouldn’t be fighting me,’ ” Curry said.

Boxing Notes

Tickets, priced at $15, $25, $50, $100, $150 and $300, will go one sale today at the Sports Arena and at all TicketMaster locations. The card is being billed as “The shootout at high noon” because of its noon starting time. The bouts will be blacked out in San Diego. Lightweight Rafael Ruelas (29-1) will open the card against Juan Parra (18-6). ABC begins its show at 1:30 p.m. with super featherweight Gabriel Ruelas (27-1) against Estanislao Lugo (15-4-1). Heavyweight Mark Gastineau (5-0), former New York Jet defensive end, and middleweight Paul Vaden of San Diego are also on the card.