Austin Trout – Media Roundtable Exclusive Interview

04/19/2013 Steve Lopez

After the final press conference concluded, Saul Alvarez and Austin Trout took the time to address members of the media for one-on-one and roundtable interviews. I, along with other media correspondents, took the exclusive opportunity to sit down with the WBA champion.

Here’s a transcript of the questions and answers that were discussed with Austin Trout.

Question: “Are you worried much about the judging for the fight?”

Austin Trout: “It’s something I can’t focus much on or worry about because, at the end of the day, I have to focus on what I have to do in the ring. If it goes to the judges, it’s in God’s hands. If they want to jerk me, then it’s between them.”

Question: “How are you able to go through all these lion’s dens? Kind of a ‘no fear’ attitude? What is it?”

Austin Trout: “You can’t have any fear in this sport. I think there’s been a lot of fighters, say their Mexican, aren’t worried about anything. But in my opinion, it’s because they’ve been spoiled. We’ve gone to hell and back to get to where we are. I’m not going to let a variation of judges stop me from fighting.”

continue

Ik Yang and the Chinese Invasion of America

09/15/201604/16/2013 Geoffrey Ciani

“I want more Chinese to pay attention to boxing and like boxing because of me”—Ik Yang

Slowly but surely, China is beginning to have an impact on the global scene of professional boxing. Two recent examples over the last five months help clearly illustrate this point. The first happened November 24 of last year when Xiong Zhao Zhong made history as he defeated Javier Martinez Resendiz by unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBC Minimumweight Championship, giving him the unique distinction of becoming the first Chinese boxer to ever win a major world title. The other occurred just over a week ago when two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Zou Shiming reportedly earned an astounding $300,000 for his professional debut, a victorious four round contest that was broadcast virtually everywhere in China. The fact that these two success stories unfolded at a time when boxing was already experiencing growing popularity in China is surely no coincidence. Quite the contrary, when considering the noticeable momentum Chinese boxing has gathered since competing in its first Olympic Games in 1992, it is reasonable to believe that this trend will continue and we will inevitably see more and more Chinese talent (and champions) surface in the foreseeable future.

This past Friday another Chinese boxer made headway in a groundbreaking performance when lightweight Ik Yang (12-0, 8 KOs) defeated Mexican pugilist Ivan Zavala by second round knockout. What made this victory noteworthy according to Yang’s trainer and co-manager, Chauncy Welliver, was that “he just became the first Chinese fighter to win on US soil in almost 85 years—as far as I know he is the first Chinaman to do this since Harry Soo won his last fight in 1928, and I looked pretty deep into this”.

continue

Kennedy McKinney: “How Come I Ain’t In The Hall Of Fame!”

04/02/2013 James Slater

Former IBF and WBO super-bantamweight ruler “King” Kennedy McKinney feels he is more than deserving of being enshrined in The Boxing Hall of Fame. An Olympic gold medallist, McKinney made a name for himself by showing he was a warrior willing to go anywhere to fight anyone at pro level.

With a number of highlight reel moments to choose from in his thrilling, up and down career, it’s a tough job picking where to start when speaking with the 47-year-old who walked away with a 36-6-1(19) ledger in the spring of 2003.

A good enough place to start is Kennedy’s 1992 IBF title win over Welcome Ncita: a fight that saw awesome two-way action, an incredible turnaround and a truly epic one-punch KO.

continue

Malik Scott: “Malik “King” Scott is the Best Skilled Heavyweight on the Planet Bar None and I Believe Vitali’s Time is Up and I Have No Problem Putting Him Out His Misery”

03/23/201303/23/2013 ESB

Exclusive interview by Charles C. White

Well Malik, I won’t ask you how you’re doing after your recent draw with Glazkov as I think most will agree that you were robbed of a seemingly clear cut victory. Give us your thoughts on this poor decision my friend?

MS: It is what it is bro…shit happens in boxing the same way it does in life…the judges saw it the way they saw it and that’s that. As long as the fans and my family saw it I’m perfectly fine with that…the milk is spilled and I’m extremely too blessed and too talented to cry over it.

What do you think was the key factor in your ability to dictate the fight against Glazkov?

MS: Well it was one main thing…and that was I just was myself. Glazkov is a good fighter and I believe his future is still a bright one but he’s just not in the same league as me, period!

continue

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.”

continue

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?

continue

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.

continue

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.

continue

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.

continue

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.

continue