Austin Trout Exclusive Interview: Canelo Vengeance Factor, Strategy and the Future

03/15/2013 ESB

By Steve Lopez — After the press conference in Houston, TX concluded, Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout took the time to address members of the media for brief one-on-one interviews. I had the opportunity to sit down with Austin Trout to get his perspective on the fight, Canelo’s mission to avenge his older brother’s loss and what the future may hold for the New Mexico native.

Steve Lopez: “There’s a little bit of a vengeance factor. You beat his older brother a while back. How does it feel being in the ring with younger brother trying to avenge the loss?

Austin Trout: “That’s not really a factor for me. The thing that I think is cool is that I can take two world titles from two brothers. Other than that, his brother was in my way. Really, if you look at it, he was in the path to get to him. In hindsight, looking back, it was just part of the process.

Steve Lopez: “Back in December when you fought Cotto, a lot people had you as the underdog. Kind of a similar story again. I, myself, give you a great chance. In another interview, you mentioned that Canelo won’t be taking advantage of the weight gain he has over other fighters. How do you think that’s going to play out? Usually, he’s the bully.”

Exclusive Interview with Iceman John Scully

09/15/201603/14/2013 Geoffrey Ciani

“Maybe there’s an outside chance this is just a ploy to draw interest, because I think Hopkins knows that if in a year from now, if he was ever to put it together and fight Andre Ward in the last hurrah, and if he was ever to win—you know there are some very smart people that might call this guy the best fighter in history.”—Iceman John Scully

Exclusive Interview by Geoffrey Ciani – Last night I was afforded the opportunity to speak with world class boxing trainer ‘Iceman’ John Scully about the current boxing landscape. Scully shared his views on Bernard Hopkins’ history making performance last weekend when he broke his own record to once again become the oldest boxer to win a major world title, this time at age 48, with his sensational victory against previously undefeated Tavoris Cloud. Iceman also provided unique insight into some highly anticipated upcoming prizefights, including Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero (May 4), the rematch between Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch and Mikkel Kessler (May 25), and the super bantamweight showdown between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux (April 13). Additionally he imparted opinions pertaining to the careers of other boxing stars such as Wladimir Klitschko, Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, and more. Here is what Iceman had to say:

Audio:

GEOFFREY CIANI: Iceman, this past weekend Bernard Hopkins at age 48 once again made boxing history breaking his own record in becoming the oldest fighter to win a major world title. What did you think of his performance?

Frank Maloney Interview – Talks Heavyweights, Audley Harrison, ‘Bums on Seats’ and more

03/13/2013 ESB

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro – This coming Friday, March 15th, promoter Frank Maloney returns to the York Hall in Bethnal Green for his latest offering ‘Loaded and Dangerous In London’, which is headlined by Matt Skelton versus John McDermott for the vacant English Heavyweight title.

This event is a sort of homecoming for Peckham London born Frank, having not promoted at the Capital’s home of boxing since his huge show in June 2009, which was headlined by Jason Booth’s successful British Super Bantamweight title defense against Rocky Dean.

This classic Frank Maloney Promotions event featured the cream of his stable, including sadly missed former Beijing Olympic Bronze medalist Darren Sutherland, Akaash Bhatia, Ashley Sexton, Martin Power plus a host of local prospects and debutants. Of course being a FMP event it had to include a Heavyweight bout, in this case Tom Dallas versus Stas Bilokon.

Before I get carried away and start talking too much about that excellent event, I’ll change tack and move on to Frank’s greatest passion within the sport and of course his interview.

Interview: Billy Dib on the rise despite defeat

03/06/2013 ESB

569 Exclusive interview by Adam Santarossa: Billy Dib returned to Australia days ago light on luggage after losing his world title and a pint or two short of blood following the ten staples that were needed for a cut to the back of his head and the fourteen stitches that were needed to seal the wound above his right eye.

I spoke with the former IBF Featherweight World Champion in an exclusive interview just days after his defeat and Dib says it’s only physical wounds he carries after his split decision point’s defeat to Evgeny Gradovich.

“The wounds that are healing are the actual wounds that I suffered in the fight. I suffered a few cuts on the eye and two cuts on the head that I’m recovering from. But other than that everything is good. My health is good and in due time I’ll be back in the ring getting ready for the next one.

Malik Scott: “I’m in awesome shape and I’m ready to go put my hands on Glazkov this week”

02/20/201302/20/2013 ESB

Exclusive Interview by Charles C. White

How’s it going Malik?

What’s up bro? Everything is great. I’m in awesome shape and I’m ready to go put my hands on Glazkov this week.

So you’re scheduled to fight Vyacheslav Glazkov on February 23rd. How are your preparations going ahead of this bout?

My preparation for this fight was very intensely simple if you understand what I mean by that. But if you don’t, what it mean is whatever hurt the most I did the most. Everything that is considered a so-called weakness of mine I did it repetitiously until all the jagged edges was smoothed out. The product is done and now I cannot wait for the world to see “King” Scott this upcoming Saturday.

Deontay Wilder: “I’m ready for the top guys”

02/17/201302/17/2013 ESB

wilder5 By Dan Emicus:

Despite the fact you secured a bronze medal, it was Team USA’s worst showing at the Olympic games since 1948. Of course, it would have been worse still in London 2012 if not for the inclusion of women’s boxing, which allowed Claressa Shields and Marlen Esparza to spare the men’s blushed by picking up Gold and Bronze respectively.

We all expected to medal. I wanted us all to do well, so it was bittersweet for me to be the only one. It turns out that I’m currently the only medalist since 2004 as far as men’s boxing goes. I don’t know much about the 2012 team, I just know that we just need to get America back on top.

James DeGale: “I’m in it to win it!”

09/14/201602/17/2013 ESB

Exclusive interview by Dan Emicus

How did you get into boxing initially?

I was a bit boisterous and naughty at school, so my Grandad suggested to my Dad that I do a bit of boxing to release some excess energy. I was 9 when I started and loved it from the beginning. Initially all I wanted to do was spar and I didn’t like the fitness side of it, but once I started having fights, I realised how important the fitness was.

You won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Was that the point where you and everyone around you believed that you could go on and win a medal at the Olympic Games?

It was actually a disappointment to get bronze at the Commonwealth Games as I was expected to come back with Gold, and to top it all I didn’t even win a medal at the World Championships! The experience and the buzz I got at the big competitions did however make me more determined to work hard and earn a place at the Olympics.

Exclusive interview with Sakio Bika

02/11/201302/09/2013 ESB

bika33 by Dan Emicus:

How did you get into boxing?

I started boxing when I was 13 years old. I hurt my knee when I was playing soccer and swapped over to boxing. I went to a boxing Academy in Cameroon and the winners were getting prizes. I started winning, I started getting prizes and haven’t stopped since!

You were born in Cameroon, yet relocated to Australia by the time you embarked on your professional career. Was this due to boxing not being as popular in Cameroon, or is there more to it than that?

Boxing is popular in Cameroon, but only in the amateur system. Not professional boxing. The Government looks after the amateur program very well. From equipment and money to spend, through to the prizes I mentioned. When it’s time to turn professional there is nothing though, no opportunities.

Interview with Patrick Day: “I am enjoying flying under the radar for as long as it lasts”

02/06/201302/06/2013 ESB

By Dan Emicus:

How did you get into boxing?

I got in to boxing out of the curiosity I had for the science of the sport (the difference between boxing and street-fighting). Watching the golden gloves in my town sparked an interest and living across the street from my trainer, Joe Higgins, led me to act on it.

Any boxing idols from the past?

My biggest boxing idol from the past that I both admire and look up to is Sugar Ray Leonard. Our fighting styles are similar and I feel that he was the best of his time.

Exclusive interview with Peter Fury

02/06/201302/06/2013 ESB

Exclusive interview with Peter Fury by Dan Emicus

When Tyson first came to you, his conditioning was sub-par and he was more a good fighter, as opposed to a good boxer. 18 months later and his conditioning has improved dramatically, he’s professional in his approach to fights, has solid boxing fundamentals, and has progressed leaps and bounds technically. How happy are you with his progress and do you expect a similar rate of progress between now and in another 18 months?

I’m delighted with his development and have put in endless hours every day over the last 12 months in particular. Every single area is painstakingly gone through. He is constantly improving technically, as well as in terms of conditioning, and come April we will see another level in Tyson again.

How did you rate Tyson’s performance last time out against Kevin Johnson? On the Channel 5 coverage, you were heard advising Tyson to stick to the gameplan and not allow the crowd to influence his boxing, so were you concerned at that point that Tyson might lose focus and try too hard to ‘entertain’ the crowd with a grandstand finish?