Rydell Booker Interview

Photo: TeamCannon.com

08.03 - By Teddy Stenmark: Team Cannon is a boxing team based in Detroit, USA run by manager John Carlisle and consists of the following fighters: 29-year old Leo Nolan (17-0, 5KO), heavyweight, 26-year old Rubin Williams (17-0, 9KO), middleweight and 22-year old Rydell Booker, cruiserweight (18-0, 10KO). Together they are undefeated in 52 contest and all bright prospects. I decided to interview Cruiserweight Rydell Booker, here is what Rydell had to say:

Teddy: Hello Rydell Where do you live and train?

Rydell: I was born and raised on the east side of Detroit. I've been training at Cannon Recreation Center, which is run by the City of Detroit, since I was seven years old. My trainer, Anthony Nolan, took me in and I've been with him for the last 15 years.

Teddy: Whom do you spar with on a daily basis?

Rydell: Usually with Leo Nolan and Rubin Williams, my team- mates. Others come to the gym to spar us. Derrick Jefferson comes most of the time and he spars with me and Leo.

Teddy:. I know you were a great amateur, representing USA at the World championships in Ireland a few years back, what is your proudest moment in your amateur career?

Rydell: I won the Eastern Olympic Trials when I was 18. I didn't go to the Olympics because I got robbed in the finals. Obviously, the Olympics are the goal of all amateurs and that loss in the finals kept me from what would have been my proudest moment. I won the US Challenge in 2001 and that gave me the #1 ranking as a heavyweight in the USA. But the Olympic thing still bothered me and I quit the USA Team to turn pro with Team Cannon. My proudest moment is coming up.

Teddy: Give me a few top-names (internationally) that you boxed in the unpaid ranks!

Rydell: I 'll Pass on that question!

Teddy: Do you come from a boxing family?

Rydell: Nobody in my family ever boxed.

Teddy: What's your plan for the future, will you move up to heavyweight eventually?

Rydell: Yes. I started out as a heavyweight when I turned pro. I came down to 190 pounds after about 10 fights. I'm still growing, so I don't think I'll be a cruiser for very long. My manager forced me down a division so I could be more active.

Teddy: Do you consider yourself a technical boxer or more of a brawling fighter? Which way do you prefer to fight?

Rydell: Im no brawler. We were trained to think in the ring since we were little. I am mostly a counter-puncher but I'm working on the jab right now.

Teddy: You have already been fighting a few 10 round-bouts, do you believe you are ready to move up to 12 soon?

Rydell: I'm ready for 12, but my manager wants the first 12 rounder to be for a world title. He's not big on regional belts.

Teddy: Who is the toughest guy you have faced so far in the professionals?

Rydell: Uriah Grant, He's very strong.

Teddy: You were ranked number 1 in the US as an amateur, were there any current pro's in that ratings behind you?

Rydell: I really don't remember who was there, but, since I'm ranked 15 in the world by the WBC, I'm sure there ain't none of them ahead of me now either.

Teddy: What's your motivation in boxing? Is it just the chance to make a lot of money or more of a glory-thing for you?

Rydell: It's all I know. If someone offered me a million bucks to stop fighting, I wouldn't take it. So it's not the money. Glory sounds like a bad reason to fight, but I guess it's part of it. Fighting gives me self- respect and I suppose the so called ˜glory" gives self-respect. I'll let you know after I get that glory.

Teddy: Who is your closest friend in boxing?

Rydell: My team-mates, Rubin and Leo. We are pretty lucky having this team, because we've been together since we were little. Now, when things happen like when we broke 50-0 or when I won the WBC youth title, we share it with each other and keep our heads straight. I meet people now who want to be close to me because they know I'm going to be a world champion. With Leo and Rubin and me, we know that we're all just the same people who met in the gym 15 years ago. We don't let each other get big heads.

Teddy: What's your opinion of the cruiserweight division?

Rydell: I think it could be an exciting division. There's too many old middleweights and light heavies in there. And of course there are some young heavyweight fighters like me, honing skills and not having to pay for mistakes with real heavyweight punishment. The speed of the fighters is much better than in the heavyweight division and the pace of the fight is better. But I guess it's just considered Limbo. A burial ground and staging area combined. The fighters who moved up to cruiser are not at the peak of their careers and the young guys are just getting started. Fans want to watch meaningful combat. I admit that I'm using the division. It was my manager (John Carlisle) who made me come down 15 pounds. Now I understand what he's doing. I'll go back to heavyweight in a year or two.

Teddy: Did you have any boxing-idols growing up?

Rydell: Thomas Hearns

Teddy: Is there anyone today that you kind of like style-wise?

Rydell: My team mate Leo Nolan. He's hard to hit.

Teddy: Were you ever good in any other sport than boxing?

Rydell: In high school they wouldn't let me play football or basketball because of the boxing. They knew I was good at fighting and made me stay away from other sports.

Teddy: Are you able to concentrate 100% on your boxing career or do you have a
job on the side?

Rydell: I've been treated very good by my manager. I don't work. My housing, car and living expenses are provided for in my contract.

Teddy: What do you enjoy doing when you're not boxing? Got any cool hobbies that the average boxing fan doesn't know about?

Rydell: I'm working on my pilot license. I like airplanes.

Teddy: I am a boxing reporter from Sweden, have you ever been there? What do
you know of Swedish boxing?

Rydell: Sweden? Is that in Texas? Just kidding! I haven't been to Sweden yet. Do you have a cruiserweight for me over there?

Teddy: (laugh) No not really, but we have a few heavies once you move up (Attila Levin, Johan Thorbjörnson)

Teddy: Do you follow the sport intensely?

Rydell: Not as a fan. I pay attention like most fighters but I'm not into the details and trivia.

Teddy: Finally when will we see Rydell Booker in a World championship fight?

Rydell: I'm pretty sure I'll get a fight with Wayne Braithwaite by the end of the year. Hey, maybe in Sweden!

Teddy: Yes Hopefully! Thanks a lot for your time Rydell, and the very best of luck in the future!