04.05.05 – Interview by Frank Gonzalez Jr.: Middleweight Contender, Kingsley Ikeke recently improved his record to 23-1-0-13 KO’s after his bout with Antwun Echols (31-5-1-27 KO’s) on Friday Night Fights a couple of weeks ago. Ikeke put on a textbook performance of solid technical boxing skills, using his jab impressively, which proved to be the decisive weapon in that fight, which he won by Unanimous Decision. Ikeke is six feet, four inches tall and uses his height to his advantage. He is a shinning light in his division. Against the always-dangerous Antwun Echols, he proved that he is a force to be reckoned with at Middleweight.
In the Middleweight kingdom of Bernard Hopkins, Kingsley Ikeke represents a serious challenge to any of the top contenders. Felix Trinidad, Felix Sturm, Howard Eastman and Jermain Taylor, take notice-there is a new kid on the block and he’s big. He’s 6′ 4 and fights tall, utilizing his natural assets with special fluency in the fundamentals. I got the opportunity to speak with Kingsley and ask him some questions.
Frank Gonzalez Jr.: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me Kingsley and congratulations on your win over Antwun Echols, who I always considered a dangerous fighter.. Your performance against Echols was impressive. You put on a jabbing clinic that night. You have a good defense and excellent ring generalship. Your use of the jab has to be the dream of any trainer in the sport. So many fighters get in the ring and drift away from basics. You kept your poise and worked that jab and everything seemed to flow from it. Man, you’re living a dream.
Tell me a little about yourself, like when did you decide on becoming a fighter?
Kingsley Ikeke: Since I was very small, three years old, I wanted to be a boxer. But my dad, he didn’t want me to be a boxer. My Dad and Mom said they don’t like boxing. But by the time I was in grade seven, I told Mommy and Daddy, “Kingsley has to choose what he wants to do in this life. If Mommy and Daddy were gone, who is going to take care of Kingsley? Nobody.” So, that was when I choose boxing.
FGJ: This was in Nigeria, right? Was there a local gym nearby for you to train?
KI: In Nigeria, yes. There was no local gym by me. When I walked the street, I saw guys training.
FGJ: Like a boxing gym on the streets?
KI: Yeah, like a Boxing Stand. So I saw they were training guys by this place and I walk around there every day and one day I talk to the coach and ask him ‘Do you mind that I’d like to be a boxer?’
FGJ: How old were you then?
KI: I was about 16. So he said, “Sure, I will teach you how to box.” He gave me a time to start coming and so I started there. They learn me how to throw the jab, a boxing stance, how to move around and learn the basics before you can put on the gloves. Once I started going there, I started doing what I like to do.
FGJ: So how old were you when you finally stepped into the boxing ring?
KI: I was about 18.
FGJ: And how did it go in your first fight?
KI: I didn’t start boxing yet, I was sparring with the guys in the trade and I loved it. I said woo, I could do this all day. I start getting hyper on the streets, I want to fight everyone. I walk with my shirt off and ask people, “Do you want to fight?” Because I want to test my punches now, what I learned, and see how it goes. So one guy stopped me and says, “you want to fight?” and I strike him in his mouth and he ran away. This was good.
FGJ: (Laughs) So, how did you get the nickname, King Sharp Knuckle?
KI: Actually, the nickname King Sharp Knuckle.when I came to Canada, I sparred with guys in the gym all the time and everyday, I get a cut inside my gloves. So one day when I got home, I say damn, (laughs) this knuckle is very sharp, it’s a sharp knuckle.
FGJ: So, you named your own knuckle. (Laughs)
KI: Yes.
FGJ: Tell me about your stamina training.
KI: I train all the time and I love to run a lot.
FGJ: How much, how many miles?
KI: Depends on how many miles they want me to do, they want me to do ten, I do ten.Whatever my coach tells me to do in training, I do it.
FGJ: How do you like being involved with Golden Boy Productions and do you think Oscar is ever going to fight again?
KI: Actually, Oscar is going to fight again, but I don’t think he will fight at 160.
FGJ: I think he’s going back to 147. But he looks like he gained some weight and is really enjoying the business of promoting.
KI: He’s doing a good job being a promoter. I’m working with him and I’m enjoying working with him.
FGJ: I’m sure everyone asks you this, but if you get the chance to fight Bernard Hopkins, how do you think you would do against him?
KI: On my own, between me, when I fight Bernard Hopkins, he’s the world champion. I will show the world I can beat the world champion.
FGJ: Hopkins is a great champion. He’s a very crafty Fighter and knows how to get away with things opposite the refs view. I imagine your long jab might frustrate him and keep him far enough from being able to execute his normal game plan. Do you see it that way?
KI: It’s likely it will be that way and I have to see what I would do when the time comes. I train hard and I am ready to fight Bernard.
FGJ: Besides Jermain Taylor, who has already twice declined to fight you, I’d really like to see you fight Howard Eastman. What are your thoughts about Eastman?
KI: Eastman is a good fighter. If he comes to fight me, I’m going with a different style than against Bernard. It would be a great fight. I keep my focus and my hands will do the talking for me.
FGJ: If you could choose your next opponent, who would it be and why?
KI: Actually, I would like to choose Felix Sturm.or Arthur Abraham.
FGJ: Why Sturm?
KI: Because Sturm fought Oscar well and if he comes to fight Ikeke, I’m going to give him a good fight.
FGJ: Sturm is a very good boxer. And what about Arthur?
KI: He says he wants to step up. If he wants to step up he can come on over, I would like to fight him too.
FGJ: As a fight fan, what is your favorite division to watch and who is your favorite fighter out there today?
KI: I like Zab Judah, Welterweight. My favorite fighter is Thomas Hitman Hearns.
FGJ: What about active fighters, who do you like best?
KI: Zab Judah.
FGJ: Zab is from Brooklyn, like me.
KI: (laughs)
FGJ: He’s a good fighter and I like the new developments in his personality, he’s maturing now and that goes well with his explosive boxing skills.
KI: Yes. I like Zab Judah.
FGJ: Do you watch the TV show, “The Contender” and what do you think about Sergio Mora? I think might be one of the best fighters on the show.
KI: Yes, I watch it. Sergio Mora, he’s a very good fighter, he’s coming along good. He’s going to be a good fighter.
FGJ: Do you know him personally?
KI: Actually, I know him a lot. We talk all the time together and we spar together all the time. He helped me a lot, with my sparring, to get ready for my fights. I help him too.
FGJ: What are your thoughts about the upcoming match between Winky Wright and Felix Trinidad?
KI: Actually, I choose Winky Wright. He’s a good fighter and he comes to fight. His defense is also very good.
FGJ: What is it about Trinidad that you makes you think that Winky has the edge, was it the long layoff, what?
KI: After the layoff, he comes back very good against Mayorga.but at the sametime,.hmmm. Trinidad depends too much on the left hook shot. If Winky takes the left hook shot away, he’s finished.
FGJ: An interesting point.
FGJ: At 32, you’re still young, but not all that young. So far, you have fought twice in 2005 and it’s only April. It’s good to see that you’re fighting often. With Golden Boy Productions promoting you, how close to a major title shot?
KI: Its not long. The Lord said, it’s not long. Why I say that is because if it be tomorrow, next week, next month, two months, three months from now, anytime they come knock at my door, Ikeke’s always ready to go ahead with our title shot.
FGJ: I think you are ready for a title shot. The only thing I see separating you from a major Title is that Bernard owns them all. Only time will tell who Bernard chooses to fight. He may retire in a year though and that is going to open things up. I’m confident you will win a major Belt soon.
KI: It goes like this, I don’t know what God is planning there, I don’t know what my manager or promoter is planning but whatever they’re planning, if Bernard does not retire before the year ends and if I get the knock on my door, ‘Bernard wants to fight Ikeke,’ I will say, lets sign the contract.
FGJ: I think some of the best fighters became the best because of lessons they learned from a loss or two along the way. I remember someone once saying, “The next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing.” On your record is a lone loss. Tell me about fighting Anthony Hanshaw in 2001 and what you learned form that experience and if it helped make you a better fighter?
KI: Ok, when I take that fight, I said I’m going there to knock him out in round four. The game plan I was having.when I get there I fought his game plan in the first round. I end up hurting my ribs. Then my jab wasn’t flowing the with power. When I get to the corner, I said to my trainer, I
really hurt myself. I said I would win the fight but it was not going to be my best performance. I went there with the effort to keep up. In the fight, I hurt him a couple of times but I cannot finish him off. But though I did enough, it was his hometown. I knew they would not judge the fight for me.
FGJ: And he got the Decision. So what do you think of the experience of the loss?
KI: When I get home, it gave me more encouragement to keep on training. My loss said to me, don’t be discouraged. This just wakes you up. If I just keep winning and winning, I could get too relaxed. This shake me up and wake me up and I move on with my life.
FGJ: Where do you want find yourself when you finish your boxing career?
KI: I’m going to be a very good business guy. I like many businesses. I also like cooking. I like to cook.
FGJ: Yes-I can see it now, “Kingsley Ikeke’s Restaurant.” (Laughs)
KI: Yes, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to have that. Also, I am going to invest in Real Estate and open an Ikeke Restaurant.
FGJ: Just stay out of the furniture business because they already have an Ikea.
KI: (laughs)
FGJ: Lastly, what’s your take on, “The Nigerian Nightmare” Sam Peter?
KI: Well, he is a good fighter, coming up very good. I believe he can do it! He just has to keep busy and keep on winning.
FGJ: Is there any parting words you want to say to the fans out there?
KI: I say, “Line them up, I want to fight. Line them up from one to five, line them up from one to ten. God said it, this is my time. It’s time for me to take over.”
FGJ: It’s Ikeke time. After what I’ve seen of you, I am now a Kingsley Ikeke Fan! You execute the basics of boxing so well-that people watching can see why we call it, “the sweet science.”
KI: Yes, thank you. It’s Ikeke time. I thank God for everything and I thank all my fans, God bless everyone.
FGJ: Thank you for your time. It’s been fun talking with you Kingsley. I also want to thank your manager, Nelson Olivera, who made this possible and provided the photographs (taken by Rich Samuels/TopRank).
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photos: Rich Samuels/TopRank