Exclusive Interview: Montell "Ice" Griffin
By Ed Ludwig
23.10 - I had the pleasure of speaking with former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Montell "Ice" Griffin. He is currently in training camp preparing for his battle with George Khalid Jones. Coming off a big win over Derrick Harmon in his most recent bout Griffin is working his way back into contention and aiming towards a rubber match with Roy Jones Jr. Viewers in North America can tune into Fox Sports Net on November 3rd to see this battle between two of the worlds top ranked Light Heavyweight contenders. I would like to thank Montell Griffin for taking the time to speak with East Side Boxing.
Ed Ludwig: Are you ready to go on November 3rd?
Montell Griffin: Yes I am. I treat every fight like it's my last one. I've been training hard and I am ready to fight.
EL: Your opponent George Khalid Jones had to endure a lot of emotional pain following his tragic bout with Bee Scottland last year. Do you think Jones can continue and succeed where so many others in the same situation have failed?
MG: Who am I to say? I have never been in that situation and I hope I never will be. I know a lot of other fighters who were in the same situation and were never really the same after that. All I can do is worry about Montell Griffin and train hard and hope for the best.
EL: When did you start training camp?
MG: I started in August. I am in tip-top shape and ready to go twelve hard rounds.
EL: If you come out victorious what are you hoping for next?
MG: I will come out victorious and I just want to continue to win. Hopefully Roy Jones Jr. will fight Antonio Tarver so I can fight Tarver for a vacant title.
EL: Roy Jones is often criticized for his lack of credible opposition. Are you trying to pursue a rubber match with him?
MG: Absolutely. I would love to fight him for a third time. We are one and one. No matter what anyone says my main thing is to win and look good and show the media and the fans that they should push for a rematch.
EL: What are your feelings towards Jones and do you think the proposed fight with John Ruiz is a smokescreen?
MG: I don't know. I think this is probably the most serious that he has been in regards to fighting someone in another weight class. I hope that if it doesn't come off that he will fight Tarver and get that out of the way. Roy is a great fighter and I respect him. My main thing is to get a third fight and hold the Light Heavyweight title again.
EL: Dariusz Michalzewski is also taking criticism for the same reason Jones is. Would you go to Germany if you get an offer for a rematch?
MG: The situation with me was when I was out there I was thinking that I was not going to win a decision but I never thought the American referee Joe Cortez would do what he did. I was winning the fight easily and I was not hurt. For Joe to stop the fight when he did I thought that was real fishy. I would fight him again I just wish I could be more comfortable knowing the outcome would be fair and square. I was beating him easy for four rounds. Michalzewski never hurt me. Joe works for the WBO and he did what he had to do. I was winning the fight.
EL: Last weekend Jr. Middleweight prospect Tokunbo Olajide was stopped in the first round. How dangerous is it fighting a last minute replacement?
MG: It's always dangerous. Anything can happen in boxing and nobody is immune to getting caught with a clean shot. I don't really follow Olajide but I knew he fought a guy with knockout wins in every fight. This might even help him in the long run and make him hungrier.
EL: Do you study tapes of your opponents before each fight?
MG: I do once in awhile. Because of the way I fight I only need to watch one or two rounds and that's all I pretty much need to see. I can usually adapt to whatever my opponent is doing.
EL: This question relates to the previous one I asked. Is it a good idea to study tapes? I have had a few fighters tell me everything changes once you step into the ring and others say it is important.
MG: Well, I guess it depends on the fighter. It is good to know something about your opponent. There was time when I watched tapes and saw things that I used against the guy and it worked. It doesn't hurt to watch especially if you know nothing about them.
EL: If everything goes according to plan for you where do you see yourself one year from now?
MG: Light Heavyweight champion of the world. I have had a lot of bad breaks but I do think my time will come. I just have to move on and not cry about spilled milk. I know I have the skills.
EL: Do you watch much boxing when relaxing at home?
MG: I don't really watch much unless it is someone that I know. I'll watch baseball, basketball or football before I watch boxing.
EL: If you can't land the rubber match with Jones would you stay at Light Heavyweight or would you consider moving up?
MG: My main priority is to win the title at Light Heavyweight but I wouldn't have a problem moving up to Cruiserweight down the road. James Toney will be fighting Vassiliy Jirov soon and if Toney wins that could be a possibility for me down the road.
EL: You exploded onto the boxing scene with two big victories over James Toney. Did he underestimate you because you were a relative unknown without any big fight experience?
MG: After the first fight I wouldn't believe that. It was close and I dug a bit deeper than him and the judges gave me the last three rounds. I only had fourteen fights coming in and he had forty-eight. At the press conference prior to our second fight Toney said he was in great shape and he felt good and said there won't be any excuses. I went out there and beat him easier. After the first fight I said don't listen to the excuses about taking me lightly. I fought him twice and beat him both times.
EL: Your prediction for Jirov vs. Toney?
MG: I think Toney is going to win. Styles make fights and Jirov's style is suited for James Toney. I think Toney will be in top-top shape and I expect him to beat Jirov.
EL: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans that are reading this?
MG: All I want to say is that you have not seen the best of Montell Griffin in the last couple of years and I am working hard to get another shot at Roy Jones Jr. I would like to tell all of my fans not to give up on me and that "Ice" will be here for a long time to come. Thank you.
