09.03.04 – By Micah Yonkoski: Motivational author Earl Nightingale once said, “Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.” Perhaps Nightingale wasn’t referring directly to the career of Michael “No Joke” Stewart, but certainly the message holds true in his case. A blend of optimism, hard work, and of course talent, have earned Michael Stewart the USBA Junior Welterweight title and if all goes right, the chance to fight for a world title in the near future.
As a lifelong boxing fanatic, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to speak with some of the personalities that make up this great sport. It’s with opportunities such as this interview with Michael Stewart, where I realize just why I love this sport so much. There are great personalities in every walk of life, but the types of people that make up this sport are unlike any other and Stewart is a great example of that.
At 26 years of age and after compiling an impressive resume with only one loss in his in his 38 fight career, big things are starting to appear in the near future for Stewart. And, depending on who’s telling you, Stewart could be headed for an IBF Interim title clash with Sharmba Mitchell. However, after speaking with Stewart and his promoter Russell Peltz, nothing is set as of yet. “We are talking, but there are a few financial hang-ups in which we are trying to iron out,” says Peltz.
Stewart really appreciates even the mention of fighting for the IBF’s world title and whether it comes today, tomorrow or the next day, Stewart will go about business as usual and trust that whatever happens is meant to happen. Says Stewart “I’ll be ready when my name is called. I’m a cheap date and I just wanna get out and party”
Here’s what Michael Stewart had to say in a recent interview:
IBF: How are things going Mike?
MS: Things are good, what’s happening Micah? I love the IBF and they’re supposed to be getting me that fight with Sharmba Mitchell. What are you hearing about that?
IBF: I can’t be sure, but you are making my job easier because you already answered the first question that I had for you.
MS: Yeah, I hope they get that fight for me, ya know?
IBF: Well, it’s being rumored and I hope the fight gets made, as I’m sure you do. However, as of now, there is nothing set in stone with Sharmba?
MS: Man, I hope I can get that fight, but I haven’t signed any contract yet.
IBF: For the sake of the interview, lets be positive and say this fight gets made. What are your thoughts heading into the biggest fight of your career?
MS: Ah Man, I love the IBF and if there is one organization that I wanna fight for, it’s the IBF. We just gotta hope this comes off because as of now there is no signed contract, but Micah, I am hoping this comes off as I am ready to rock.
IBF: In your opinion, what’d you think of Sharmba’s last performance against Lovemore Ndou? Do you think the disappointment of the Tszyu injury played a part in the fight being tougher than expected?
MS: I think it mentally affected Sharmba. I think he probably went into the fight thinking it was going to be the easier fight, but was still let down a bit when Tszyu was injured. That happens in boxing, but I don’t wanna comment on that man, I can just comment on me and I’ll always come to fight. I’ve always enjoyed watching Sharmba Mitchell fight and I just want the chance to fight him, ya know?
IBF: On that topic, you’ve also have had to deal with a recent disappointment when a traffic accident forced you to withdraw from a fight with Panchito Bojado on the undercard of Gatti-Branco. How is everything healing and how big of a disappointment was that for you?
MS: Ah yeah, I wish I woulda got that fight as well, but things happen for a reason. God makes things happen for the right reasons and I can’t be upset or complain, ya know?
IBF: Sometimes things work in crazy ways and perhaps missing the Bojado fight has opened the door for you to get this chance with Sharmba Mitchell. When would you begin training for that fight?
MS: That’s exactly right Micah and I’m already in training. I would be ready wherever and whenever they needed me to be ready, I just hope he’s still up for it. I was kinda hoping that you would be able to tell me something about what you’re hearing at the IBF? I want this fight, but hopefully it won’t be in London. You ever been to London Micah?
IBF: (laughing) Mike, I’m lucky to get out of my house, let alone London.
MS: I just wondered how long of a flight that would be? I don’t like being in the air all that much, but if it meant a chance to fight for the IBF title, I’ll go anywhere.
IBF: Most likely, the winner would then face Kostya Tszyu? How big of an honor would it be for you to share the ring with a classy, future Hall-of-Famer like Kostya Tszyu?
MS: Wow, I’d love that fight. That would be a great honor; a dream come true, ya know? To fight a person like Kostya Tszyu or Sharmba Mitchell would be a dream come true as they have been around a long time, ya know? I thank the IBF for even giving me this much. They say, Stewart is rated number three and they’ve wanted Sharmba to fight me from the start. I also wanna thank him (Sharmba) for taking the fight if he comes back, I really appreciate it.
IBF: You currently are the USBA Champion and have beaten some name opponents such as Ivan Robinson, Terron Millett and Charles Tschorniawsky along the way. With that being said, how do you respond to those that feel you are still unproven and will the fight with Sharmba answer the critics?
MS: I don’t know if it would or not. Some people are always going to talk, but you gotta just let them talk, ya know? It really doesn’t mean anything to me. Anybody can say anything, but if I get the chance to fight Sharmba Mitchell, then who cares what they say?
IBF: The Jr. Welterweight division has been for some time, probably the deepest division the sport. However, it’s no secret that Kostya, Sharmba and Arturo Gatti are nearing the end of their careers and Zab Judah is now leaving for bigger things in the welterweight division. Where do you envision yourself fitting into the future of this division?
MS: Oh, right on top. I see that Floyd Mayweather is moving up and I’d love to get that fight with him. I’d also love to get that fight with Arturo Gatti, he knows my number, but they haven’t called. It really doesn’t matter; if I beat Sharmba Mitchell then they’ll come to me. I’m a cheap date and I just wanna get out and party.
IBF: Does a future fight with any of the young lions such as Ricky Hatton, Mohammed Abdullaev, Miguel Cotto or Panchito Bojado interest you?
MS: Oh yeah, If they come along and my promoter wants the fight then I’ll take the fight. I mean, I’ll take any fight! Any fight is my fight, but I am signed with Russell Peltz and I do what he says. Whatever he puts in front of me is what I’ll take.
IBF: My life-goal is to help the sport of boxing return to the mainstream prominence that is so deserves. As you probably know, NBC has again thrown their hat into the ring and will begin a five-week run starting in April. In your opinion, how big is that for the sport?
MS: It’s huge! It’s great for any fighter and for boxing in general when you get boxing on a major network like NBC. With a network like NBC getting back into boxing, I mean that is big, and we need even more of that. We need more stations, stations like USA, TNT, CBS and all the rest of them to get involved. However, in return, boxing has to do its part. We as fighters need to conduct ourselves in the right manner and make people want to give us exposure. I think the sport of boxing can flourish again, but people need to conduct themselves the right way. People don’t wanna watch boxing and think they are watching the WWF, that’s the big thing.
IBF: What is your take on the recent boxing reality-TV show that is in the works by such major media figures as Sylvester Stallone, Mark Burnett and Jeffrey Katzenberg? The show titled “The Contender” will focus on finding the next boxing superstar and as a fighter, would you entertain ever being involved in a show such as that?
MS: I have heard something about that and I think that it’s great, more exposure for the sport. I would love to be on a show like that. If there is anything that can help the sport of boxing, Michael Stewart is all for it.
IBF: You go by the nickname of “No Joke” where did that come from?
MS: Well, that came from a paper down here and my manager. They said, “ya know, that kid is no joke” and it just stuck from there. I beat some kid up at the Blue Horizon it just stuck with me.
IBF: Well, you have a lot on your plate at this time and heading into the defining fight of your career. I want to thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us and in closing, is there anything that you would like to say to your fans or any future opponents?
MS: God bless them all and it was my pleasure Micah.
I would like to send a special thanks to Keith Stoffer and Russell Peltz for making this interview possible. To keep afloat of the career of Michael Stewart, you can find it all on his website, visit www.nojokestewart.com