Interview with Lovemore Ndou

4 May, 2002 - By Tony Nobbs

Australian Lightweight Lovemore "Panther" Ndou, (30-4-1, 18 ko's) continues his U.S campaign on May 17 when he faces big punching Jun Gorres (24-2-1,21ko's), the # 1 contender for the Philippines 140 lb Title in Honolulu, Hawaii on a card headlining unbeaten local Flyweight sensation Brian Viloria. The Gorres fight follows Ndou's impressive performance in losing a ten round majority decision to underated Mexican banger Jose Luis Juarez (23-4-1, 19 ko's) in San Jacinto, California on April 7, his first outing since Feburary 25 last year. The 30 year old South African born Ndou first came to Australia in 1995 and based himself here after dropping a disputed decision to then IBF # 6 Super Feather Clifford Samardin on the undercard of Kostya Tszyu-Roger Mayweather. He leaves for the Gorres fight on Tuesday (May 7) and graciously took the time to answer the following questions in depth.

Tony Nobbs: Lovemore, what do you know of your next opponent Jun Gorres?

Lovemore Ndou: I don't know much about Jun Gorres. All I know is he has got a very impressive record. By looking at his record I assume he is a big puncher. I am expecting a tough fight from him. People might think I'm crazy taking a tough opponent just a few weeks after another tough opponent (Juarez) but that's just me. I do not take easy fights. I prefer to keep myself and my fans honest by fighting good fighters. I don't try and build an impressive record by fighting hopeless fighters. Apart from that this fight will prove that Juarez did not beat Lovemore Ndou, but inactivity beat me.

TN: How has your training been for this fight so far?

LN: My preperation for the Gorres fight has been great as usual. I don't take no one lightly and that is why I am always super fit.

TN: How did you find training under the experienced Joe Goosen?

LN: It was great training with Joe Goosen in America although we didn't have much time together before the fight with Juarez to work on a lot of things. Joe is a great trainer and knows what he is talking about but I am a seasoned fighter and don't rely on trainers much anymore. As long as a trainer can pick up those little mistakes I make and help me sharpen the little things I do, that is all I need. And Joe is good at that. I still got Ray Giles working with me in Australia and he is a hell of a good trainer and a good friend too.

TN: You lost to Juarez, but you impressed most observers. I feel if you did not get caught with the left hook in round three, you would have won, I had it even in rounds anyway. Tell us about that fight.

LN: There is no doubt I was super fit for that fight, I did everything I had to do in the gym, but it is a different story when you step into the ring for a real fight. The atmosphere is just different and that is why one has to remain active and remain that sharpness and accuracy. But due to reasons out of my control I had to stay out of the ring for 14 months. That's a hell of a long time to stay out and come back against a tough opponent like Juarez for your first come-back fight. I got hit by punches that wouldn't touch me when I was active. If anything it also proved to those who always doubted my ability to take a good punch that I have a hell of a good chin. A lot of fighters would not have got up after that second knockdown in the ninth round but I did and finished the fight strong. One thing I gotta give to Juarez is that he is a hell of a strong puncher and too big and strong for a Lightweight. I used to think that I was too big a lightweight but he proved me wrong. He made me look like a Flyweight, I'm, talking from the physical point of view. The guy looks like Welterweight and I still wonder how he made the weight. The first knockdown (in round 3) was not much of a knockdown. I touched the canvas with my knee and the referee (Marty Denkin) gave me a count for that, which of course, is the right thing for the referee to do. After that Juarez kept the pressure on me and he burst my ear drum in that same round. After that I had no balance but managed to go the distance with a bleeding ear. That is the sad thing about Boxing, it takes only one punch to change the pattern of the whole fight. I was wining the fight well until I got caught with that punch on my ear. The second knockdown in the ninth I never saw the punch coming And it was a good punch, delivered with good accuracy and timing. Learning to accept disappointments builds character. And that is the kind of character I am. My life has always been about disappointments and I know how to bounce back from a loss and rebuild myself. I can only get better by learning from my mistakes. So expect a better and sharper Lovemore Ndou next.

TN: You would obviously be confident of beating Juarez in a rematch. Do you think it will happen?

LN: There is no doubt that Ndou-Juarez was the best fight of the day. Even better than the Main Event. Everyone who saw this fight would love to see it happen. I would love to see it happen and I know for a fact Foxsports Net would love to see it. I'm pretty sure the promoter Dan Goosen would love to put it on in the future. And believe me the second fight will be even better than the first except this time I will come out the winner.

TN: What was the reaction from the fans at the Juarez fight?

LN: Although I lost, I impressed a lot of people and built a bigger fan base in America. At the end of the fight I signed more autographs than Juarez although he won the fight.

TN: What is the weight limit for your fight with Gorres and who is the promoter?

LN: The fight with Gorres will be at 138 lb and expect Lovemore Ndou coming out and whupping this guys ears inside out. Lou Dibella from Dibella Entertainment offered me this next fight with Gorres and I really appreciate him giving me the opportunity to get back in the ring as son as possible and dust off. I met Lou in New York in his office and he is a very fair and honest guy. So is Mike Marchionte, a very good friend of mine who works for Lou. I am hoping to work more with the Dibella in the future.

TN: Do you feel you should have campaigned in the USA earlier in your career?

LN: People often ask me this question. In a way I do but apart from that I love living in Australia and have made it my home. My family is happy here and so am I. Apart from boxing I am also studying at university for a degree in Communication, ie television production.That is something to do at the end if my boxing career I already have Television experience through doing commentary for Foxsports in Australia and I am looking at running my own sports show in the future.

TN: When did you start boxing and who are your favourite boxers?

LN: First, I started boxing at 16 and I'm now 30 and still haven't fought for a World Title yet. I aint gonna throw all those years away. I will continue fighting until my dream comes true. You can think of me as another Marvin Hagler. He never got an opportunity until later in his career. And when he finally did he made the most out of it. And that is exactly what I'm gonna do. And of course, he was one of my favourite fighters. So was Sugar Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard and Muhummad Ali. And today I think the best fighter out there is Roy Jones Jnr. He has got style, speed, skills and knows how to play his game. He is a true World Champion and I envy him.

TN: Finally, any messages to your fans out there?

LN: Sorry about the loss against Juarez but Ndou is still here to stay and and will continue to chase his dream of winning a World Title