Exclusive Interview: "Cool" Vince Phillips & "Captain" Cassius Green
By Ed Ludwig
16.10 - I had the pleasure of speaking with former IBF Jr. Welterweight Champion Vince Phillips and his trainer "Captain" Cassius Green. Phillips who is coming off a big win over the previously undefeated Nick Acevedo earlier this year is in California preparing for his November 9th showdown with Sharmba Mitchell. The fight will be taking place from Oklahoma City, OK. It will be broadcast on Showtime for viewers in the United States. This interview with "Team" Phillips will provide more insight into why Vince has yet to receive that elusive rematch with Kostya Tszyu, his upcoming fight with Sharmba Mitchell and his future plans. I would like to thank both gentlemen for taking the time to speak with East Side Boxing.
Ed Ludwig: How is training camp going in preparation for the Sharmba Mitchell bout?
Cassius Green: We will be on target by fight night. Vince will be ready.
EL: Is it difficult to find good southpaw sparring partners?
CG: It's rather easy if you know where to look and who to call.
EL: One thing that I have noticed about Vince is that he is rarely in a boring fight. Why is that?
CG: That's the difference between a real professional, a great fighter and a good fighter. A great fighter knows how to make the adjustments and he knows how to pick it up when he has too.
EL: The fight with Ray Oliveira was very exciting. Vince and Ray gave it everything they had. Was this the most physically demanding fight for Vince?
CG: No, not at all. You have to understand when you fight for a world title that is when it's the most demanding for any individual. It doesn't matter who it is.
EL: Vince's win over the previously undefeated Nick Acevedo has put him back into the big picture. Was his experience over the younger Acevedo a key factor in the fight?
CG: Experience is always a key factor in a fight. Acevedo was a younger opponent with a whole lot to gain and he was very hungry. A great fighter always makes the adjustments to the speed, slow him down and take over. Vince is smart and fights hard.
EL: Did Nick Acevedo ever ask for a rematch and would Vince have given him one?
CG: Very few people have asked for a rematch after Vince Phillips has had a fight with them. Vince fought Vernon Forrest and we asked him for a rematch and he didn't want any part of Vince Phillips.
Vince Phillips: I would give Nick Acevedo a rematch.
EL: Why has Vince had a long and very successful career thus far?
CG: It is his hard work, determination and wanting to be back on top again. He wants to prove that he has not faded off into the sunset.
VP: I'll tell you a little secret that an older gentleman told me once. After I knocked out Alfonso Sanchez he comes and says to me, "You are like fine wine, the older it gets, the better is tastes". So what he was telling me is, the older I get the better "Cool" Vince Phillips fights.
EL: What is your relationship like with Cassius Green?
VP: No disrespect to Kenny Adams, he's been my trainer for a long time and I love him as a dad. I have a lot of respect for him as I do for Roy Jones Sr. This trainer I have here, Cassius Green better known to me as "Captain" has taught me a lot. I have never in my life learned so many different techniques even though he is doing some of the things that Coach Adams and Roy Jones Sr. have taught me. He is adding and capitalizing on what they have taught me and it will show come November 9th.
EL: You are currently ranked sixth by the WBA. Is a fight with champion Ricardo Mayorga a possibility?
VP: No, but there has been talk of me and WBO champ Antonio Margarito. They said after his fight last Saturday that they want me next. They said the only thing Sugar Ray Leonard has to do is call Bob Arum, they want this so maybe fighting Sharmba gives me two good options but Margarito's people are definitely interested in making this happen. My next fight after Sharmba very well could be for the WBO Welterweight Title.
EL: The question that is often asked, especially by the readers of East Side Boxing is why has there been no offer for a rematch with Kostya Tszyu?
VP: In my opinion I thought that Wlad Wharton would put me in the position to fight Kostya Tszyu but his father told one of my assistant trainers, Jerry Rosenberg that I would not fight his son in this lifetime. I just have to do my thing and that is take care of Sharmba Mitchell and we will take it from there.
CG: I will add to the question you just asked. The reason there is no demand for the fight is because it's like putting a snake in the pit with a mongoose. The mongoose will always win. They know Kostya will never be a great fighter because a great fighter has to do it twice to be recognized.
VP: Shane Mosley is proof of that. He lost twice to Vernon Forrest but he goes down in my book as one of the greatest champions of all time even if he never wins another title. My assistant trainer Jerry Rosenberg would like to add something.
JR: This is a message for Kostya Tszyu. If you are a true champion like everyone thinks you are then come back and give the guy who whooped your ass another chance.
EL: You are the only one to stop Micky Ward inside the distance. What are you expecting in Ward's rematch with Arturo Gatti?
VP: It will be an interesting fight. Gatti is the harder puncher and Micky has a strong left hand and a great body shot. It will be a back and forth fight.
CG: By the way, this fight won't live up to the first one. I have never seen a rematch yet as great as the first fight. Everybody is expecting a lot and they won't get what they saw the first time.
EL: Ward and Gatti have been mentioned as possible opponents for Kostya Tszyu yet we never hear your name. How does this make you feel?
VP: Wlad Wharton, Kostya's promoter told me after I beat Nick Acevedo that I may be old but I am still very dangerous. My feeling is that this is boxing, it's a sport and I don't care how dangerous you are. It takes a true warrior to get in there and fight. A lot of these fighters today are what you would call paper champions.
EL: At thirty-nine years of age your career is still going strong. Does this discourage others from wanting to get into the ring with you?
VP: That's it! I'm still dangerous.
CG: It's the Mickey Mouse trainers, managers and promoters that don't want to promote boxing but promote individuals. If you promote boxing you will see great matches all the time but when you promote individuals we often see mismatches and that is the bottom line.
EL: Your name is synonymously linked with Kostya Tszyu. With that in mind is it hard to stay one hundred percent focused for each fight?
VP: I am always one hundred percent focused. Sometimes you are not always ready mentally. When my dad died it really bothered me. He was my biggest fan. I try my best to stay focused for each fight and always be prepared.
EL: Would you like another shot at Vernon Forrest should the opportunity present itself?
VP: Yes I would. I saw Vernon at the De La Hoya - Vargas fight and I told him of the possibility of me fighting Antonio Margarito for the WBO title. I asked Vernon if he would be interested in unifying the titles if I beat Sharmba and Antonio and he said no problem. He is a man of his word.
EL: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans that are reading this interview?
VP: I want to tell them that I appreciate all of their support and hope they will always stand by me. Come November 9th, it will be the start of bigger and better things for "Cool" Vince Phillips. There are no limits as I am a true soldier. Thank you.
For more information on Vince Phillips and SRL Boxing please visit www.srlboxing.com
