Q & A: Evans Ashira!

04.03 - Middleweight contender Evans "The African Warrior" Ashira, 22-0 (12), is one of only a few fighters that is ranked by all the four major boxing-organizations (WBA # 9, WBC # 11, IBF # 12, WBO # 11). This talented, strong and hard-punching Denmark-based Kenyan, has been lacking exposure on the big American market, but on February 15 he made his overdue US-Debut, when he stopped tough Texan Ruben Perez on the Tim Austin-Rafael Marquez undercard at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Q: What was it like, fighting at a place like Caesars Palace, where so many great fights have taken place, and so many great fighters have fought?

A: It was a very good feeling for me. Especially considering that I was out of action for almost ten months. And the fact that it was at Caesers Palace in Las Vegas, made up for all those fights that have been cancelled on me. You know, I didn´t miss those fights so much after this experience. I had to put on the best performance I could, though I thought my opponent (Ruben Perez) was not at my level. But he put up a good fight. It was very Exiting to box at Caesars Palace, and start my USA-career in such a venue.

Q: Your goal is a shot at William Joppy´s WBA world title. How do you feel now, when the news has broken that he might fight Joe Calzaghe at super middleweight next?

A: Actually, I feel a little concerned about it, though I know it´s all about Business. And maybe from the Business point of view, the fight will be better for him. I also hope he will keep his word and fight me if he doesn´t get the Calzaghe fight, because at one point he said he would do that. Also, I heard from a very reliable source, that a fight between me and him was in the kitchen being made. But you know what, maybe I was just being told what I wanted to hear, which has happened to many fighters. But the point is, I am still looking for the fight, and my challenge to him still stands. He has been waiting for this Calzaghe fight for six months now, and I hope he will open his eyes and find out that the fight is not going to happen, and take my challenge instead. You know, be man enough to keep his word, and stop speculating on the fight with Calzaghe.

Q: You are ranked by all the four major organizations, but your highest ranking is number 9 by the WBA. Do you think that your position in the rankings are fair compared to your skills?

A: My position in the rankings are okay, I guess, but if you look closely you will find that it should have been much better. Look at the opposition I have fought, and then look at the opposition most of the other contenders have fought. You will find, that actually I have met the best opposition. The only contender that have some quality opposition too is Howard Eastman. Hopefully when I get more active my rankings will also improve, and I will be up there where I should be. Do your self a favour, and take a look at the opponents that (WBO # 1, WBA # 2, IBF # 7) Bert Schenk has fought in his last 5-6 fights, and go down my record and see who I beat. Or look at Morade Hakkar or that French guy (Erland Betare). I´ll bet, that if you take both of those guys´ last five opponents, and combine their wins, they won´t have won as many fights as my last five opponents, and they have almost certainly lost three or four times as many fights. And that is even if you combine the wins of the last five opponents of both of them. Why am I then ranked behind them? I beat much better fighters than they did!

Q: What makes you think that you will become world champion at one point?

A: (smiles)...Hmmm, maybe I should ask you why not? But the point is, I believe I can do it, and having looked at everyone out there, and seen what they do, I dont doubt my self even one bit. I have the will to win, under all odds, and the will always plays in just as much as skills. And I have enough of both will and skills!

Q: What is the emediate plans for you? Do you know when you will be fighting next?

A: So far my schedule looks like this: if the Joppy fight happens, well that is it! But if it doesn´t, I will stay bussy, defend my WBA international title in late April, and probably get one more fight before August, as I have a minimum of three fights a year on my contract with Don King. If all goes well, it won´t be long before I wear one of the big world titles arround my waist.

You can find out more about Evans Ashira on his personal website: www.ashiraoure.dk