19.03.04 – By Scoop Malinowski/Boxinginsider.com
Boxinginsider: How’s your mindset going into this fight with Chris Byrd??
Colonna: “Andrew can fight southpaws, he knows how. Andrew’s got a lot of talent that people don’t know he has. He’s got more talent than he showed in the Riddick Bowe fights. He’s got to start getting more relaxed and start doing the right things. When things don’t go his way, he’s got to learn to deal with it. That’s all. If he overcomes that, the next champion is going to be Andrew Golota.”
Boxinginsider: I thought Golota showed tremendous talent in those Bowe fights. What else is there in his arsenal that he didn’t show back then?
Colonna: “He can go to the body like no heavyweight knows how. He’s got one of the best body shots around. He likes to move around, jab. Now that his shoulder is almost 100%, we’re starting to go to the body more. And finally he’s throwing body shots now that I want him to throw. If he starts doing that, the fight’s going to be a short fight.”
Boxinginsider: What’s his weight at right now?
Colonna: “Right now, he left the gym at 240. I want to see him at 238. I think he’s best at 238. He’s faster, he can move better at 238.”
Boxinginsider: How important is this fight for Golota?
Colonna: “I think it’s the most important fight of his whole life. Because if we lose, where are we going from here? He’s out there to prove something. That he’s back and he’s gonna redeem himself from the past. If he loses this fight, it’s gonna be too hard to regroup, to start all over again. This is almost do or die.”
Boxinginsider: “Is Golota showing hints or signs in his demeanor that this is life and death to his boxing career?
Colonna: “I go, Andrew, we’re going to train at 10:30. When does Andrew Golota beat me to the gym? He’s there waiting for me! I’m used to 10:30 means like quarter to 11 or 11 o’clock. He calls me on my phone, WHERE THE FU** ARE YOU!!! I go, What are you talking about? He goes, I’M WAITING FOR YOU AT THE GYM! I’m like, You got to be kidding me! You’re there already? Yeah. This tells me right there – that he’s taking this fight real serious.”
Boxinginsider: You said earlier that Golota really wants to redeem his name in this fight?
Colonna: “I feel that he does. Because he came to me about a year ago, saying, Sam, I want to try and fight again. I don’t want to go out like I did. I didn’t believe him, I said, Yeah, yeah, okay Andrew, whatever. Then there he was to start the new year. He showed up at the gym. I didn’t even take him seriously till about three or four weeks. I thought then the guy just wanted to stay in shape. When he came back, he really wasn’t that big, like maybe 250. For a heavyweight that ain’t nothing.”
Boxinginsider: Part of what has held Golota back, in my opinion, was a sort of fear of maybe becoming the champion. About being comfortable in the role as the champion, as a hero for so many people. Being comfortable in interviews. Because people look to champions as inspirations and listen to what they say. Do you think he’s ready to be champion?
Colonna: “That’s the hard part. Believe me, Andrew can speak as well as me and you when he’s not nervous. Andrew spits out words faster than a rapper. He only stutters when he’s nervous. I know Andrew because I’ve dealt with him, I was his first trainer. I know when Andrew is nervous and when he’s not. Believe me, he hates being in front of a camera. He hates being interviewed. That’s his biggest problem. When he gets nervous, he stutters. Believe it or not, Andrew doesn’t stutter around family or friends. He only stutters when he’s nervous. Just today I told him this. Just today. I said, Andrew, you’re going to have to lighten up a bit. Because part of this program you’re on here with Don King, you’re going to be interviewed. Be in front of the camera. That’s part of promotions. That’s how everybody makes money.”
Check back at Boxinginsider.com for Parts 2 and 3 of One-on-One with Andrew Golota.