05.02.04 – By Keith Terceira: With Lennox Lewis about to announce his retirement according to reports from the British Press, and the scramble in England to crown a new heavyweight champion , the bout between Audley Harrison and Richel Hersisia has taken on a much greater significance than just a few days ago when the news was first released…
Richel, can you tell us what your childhood in Curacao was like and how you compare it to living in Europe now?
It’s totally different over there. I lived in Curacao until I was 13 years and after that I came to Holland with my mom – and was shocked by the cold weather! In Holland I had a very normal life, went to school, played football afterwards…
You are undefeated with a record of 21-0 (16 KO’s). How did you begin in the sport of boxing?
I watched Mourad (Louati, his trainer) winning the European superwelterweight title on TV against Said Skouma – and he did it with a broken rib! – when I was 16 or 17 years old. I wanted to be like him, so went down to the gym where he trained, and I still train today, by the way, and just got started. When Mourad retired, he took over the gym from his manager/trainer John Kristalijn and my idol became my trainer. Very quickly afterwards, Mourad told me that the pro game suits me best and we hooked up with (manager) Olaf (Schroeder), who had already played an important part in Mourad’s own career. I never looked back since, so I guess Mourad was right…
Going into the fight with Audley, would you consider him your greatest challenge to date?
Yeah, of course. He’s the Olympic champion. But that’s what I always wanted: A chance to prove myself at that level, because when I beat him, the world will know me.
Ratko Draskovic backed out of a chance to fight you but took a bout with Harrison. Does that bolster your confidence a bit?
I think he might have chosen Audley because he’s got a bigger name than I have. He knew he would loose to me anyway, so I guess he thought if he’s got to loose he might as well loose to a bigger name and excuse himself better.
In your fights you have been stepping up the competition level slowly and Harrison is another leap for you. Is 2004 going to be the year you break into the Top Ten in the world?
I hope so, because I’m working hard and I know what I’m doing. Every fight I train hard and do what I need to do to win. I know for myself that I win this fight against Audley – it’s now time that everybody knows who I am and what they can expect from me.
How is your relationship with trainer Mourad Louati and what is the most valuable piece of knowledge he has conveyed to you?
Our relationship is great. You see, he was European champion, he did all the things that I’m doing now by himself. So he knows how I feel, what we need to do, he knows all of that and it’s good for me to have someone at my side who knows what has to be done to get to the top.
Are there any plans in the not too distant future of bringing your skills and power to America?
Naturally, that’s every boxers dream, Keith. But I totally leave the business side to (manager) Olaf (Schroeder), so you got to ask him about that. In our team, everybody is doing what he does best and my part is to take care of the fighting.
I know you have been nicknamed the “Dutch Sonny Liston” by fans and the media, but do you compare your style and skills to Liston?
That name was given to me by people that saw me fighting, not by myself. I never saw much of Liston, so I can’t and don’t want to compare myself to him. He’s not even my favorite boxer from the past…
You have begun to accumulate titles: The Dutch, WBA Central American, Netherlands Kingdom and, of course, the WBF ‘world’ title. Which of these are you most proud of to date?
No doubt the WBF title, because I think without that I might not have gotten the shot at Harrison just yet. It’s not a big title, but people look at the Federations and at first identify their heavyweight champions. So they might say ‘Hersisia is not Lennox Lewis’ but with that sentence alone they mention my name. And it will still be Richel Hersisia, WBF heavyweight champion, after March 20!
I recently completed an interview with US heavyweight Tye Fields and he told me of his use of yoga to build his stamina and his endurance. Do you have any special training methods or preferred training habits to assist you with your endurance in the ring?
Let’s put it this way: I do what I have to do and do it every day. I’m not gonna let out some secrets here, Keith. But are you sure you shouldn’t’t better ask Harrison this questions? I have been 12 rounds at a hot pace before whereas he only once went eight rounds at a leisurely pace…
What is your take on Audley Harrison and do you consider him a bit overrated?
Yeah, he’s talking so much, I think they should give him a talk-show in England. He’s always talking, talking and talking about himself. At least that shows he could have a future on TV after I finish his boxing career. He thinks he’s sooo big, but does not seem to understand that in a fight everybody can go down. He should prove himself first to the world and then it’s time to talk.
Harrison has a great amount of amateur experience so he’s gotten a lot of limelight in Europe. With a victory over Audley do you feel that you will finally get the respect you deserve?
I think so, because when I beat Harrison, people will automatically know who is Hersisia. This is a big fight for me, of course, and a fight that will lead to even bigger things.
Power-for-power, I give you the advantage over Audley. Do you expect a short fight?
We are both undefeated heavyweights with a punch, so it could well be a short fight. Yes, I don’t believe it will go 12 rounds.
Taking the fight to England may be an advantage for Harrison, but in your career you have fought on “enemy territory” mostly. How do you prepare mentally for that?
What is there to prepare for? I did this often with people around I don’t know and whose language I don’t understand and it was only Mourad, Olaf and me. I’m used to it. Where I go I never cared, because it’s only me and my opponent in the ring whom I must destroy, period.
Thank you for your time today.