Interview with “Cool C” Cisse Salif

01.02.04 -By Ike Enwereuzor www.Jacboxing.com – Heavyweight contender Cisse “Cool C” Salif, now(12-3,10KOs) fighting out of New York City, began his professional Boxing career in June of 1998. During his career, he has worked with many world champions including former undisputed heavyweight king, “Iron” Mike Tyson, former heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman, three-time world champ James “Lightsout” Toney and many others. His last fight was July 18, 2003 against Kevin Montiy, which ended in a first round no contest. Salif is expected to make his return to ring on February 7th, in Atlantic City against unbeaten Cuban Yampier Azcuy. Here’s what the heavyweight contender had to say…

Ike: What do you know about Yampier Azcuy?

Salif: All I know is he’s a Cuban, and I never saw any of his fights. He’s undefeated, so I just have to show up and see what he got. I hope he’ll show up.

Ike: You were working with James Toney before the fight was called off. What was it like working with Toney?

Salif: I was in camp with James Toney for 4 weeks. James is a really cool guy. He talks a lot of stuff sometimes, but he’s a great guy. He was ready for McCline, but he just had an accident while training which took him out of the fight. I tried to step in and replace him against Jameel McCline, but his camp didn’t want a piece of me. They said they only wanted Toney, but they knew what I could have done to McCline. Toney encouraged me a lot, and I wanted to go in there and take Jameel out like Toney was going to do. Toney is the nicest guy, and he like the way I push him to the next level.

Ike: You said you wanted to replace James Toney and fight Jameel McCline. Tell our readers more about this?

Salif: I told Dan Goosen if he can put my name in as a potential replacement, since Toney is injured. I told him I’m willing to take James Toney place and face McCline, and he came back later on and told me that McCline’s people don’t want to fight me. So, I’m wondering why? Jameel McCline is a great fighter, and so am I. I’m not afraid to fight McCline, but I think he’s afraid to face me.

Ike: So, what’s your views on McCline then?

Salif: I respect McCline, he’s a good boxer but I hate boxers that duck other fighters. He’s a Big guy who knows how to use his jabs, but I know I can handle him.

Ike: Please tell us about your last fight on July, 2003 against Kevin Montiy?

Salif: That guy didn’t come to fight, he just wanted to survive. When he saw me at weigh-in, he became scared, so he had to head butt me to get out of it. I was kicking his ass big time. I’m looking to get back to action soon. I spoke with Don King’s office to see if they can keep me busy, because I think the heavyweight division is wide open.

Ike: Your impression of the Klitschko brothers?

Salif: The heavyweight division is hot and cold. One minute you can see the fighter as a million dollar fighter, the next day he looks like a ten thousand dollar fighter. Wladimir is a good fighter. I think his brother is good, too, but since the division is so weak right now, I don’t see Vitali Klitschko beating me. I’m ready to fight him anytime the opportunity comes.

Your thoughts on Klitschko-Johnson fight last December, 2003 at the Garden?

Salif: Johnson came into the fight unprepared. He was out of shape and looked like a wrestler. He looked like he had hadn’t been in the gym for 3 years.

Ike: Thoughts on Mesi-Barett fight on the same night?

Salif: Joe Mesi has never been tested. Monte is a good fighter, and I think he could have won that fight, or worst case scenario, it should have been a draw. But I’m glad Monte is getting another chance to fight my friend Dominick Guinn. That will be another good fight. I wish Dominick lots of luck. It will be a tough fight for both. I have worked with Dominick before, so anything can happen. Both fighters know each other, also.

Ike: Your impression of Sergei Lyakhovich?

Salif: It’s funny you asked me about Sergei. He’s a good fighter. I only saw his fight with Friday Ahunanya, but didn’t see the whole fight, so I don’t know much about him, but I’m willing to fight him if he wants to fight me. His people called me to fight him on January 2004, but they changed their mind. I guess he don’t want to fight me. I’ll fight anybody in the world. I have been with the best and handle myself well with them.

Ike: What was it like working with Hasim Rahman and Mike Tyson?

Salif: Hasim and I work really hard together. I helped him with his first and second fight with Lennox Lewis. Hasim is a very good fighter, and I think he won his fight with John Ruiz. I’m not saying this because I worked with him, but rather it seem like they wanted him to knockout Ruiz. But since he didn’t, they took the fight from him. Though, the fight was a BS fight – I think Rahman is a better fighter.

Ike: What would you like to tell your fans?

Salif: I love all my fans. I’d like them to keep praying for me. I appreciate everything, and I hope to see them at my next fight on February 7th. I’ve no doubts in my mind that I’ll become the heavyweight champion of the world one day soon. I just need about 4 more fights and I’ll be right up there with all of them. Thank you all.