21.02.07 – By Scoop Malinowski: Age started boxing? “20 years old.”
First boxing memory? “I would say Muhammad Ali. I don’t remember who he was fighting. That was my first boxing experience. I was with a couple of guys in Jamaica, there was a tape they had and they put it in the VCR. That was my first time seeing boxing (age 12). The guy was able to talk a lot – and be able to do what he say. That’s an interesting way to go about this business.” ..
Inspiration? “My boxing inspiration…I like Marvelous Marvin Hagler. He fought against the cream of the crop – Sugar Ray Leonard, Hands of Stone Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns. They were the big name guys. He wasn’t getting the credit and he had to fight his way up to the top. I admired that. That kind of laid a platform for me to keep going and do my thing.”
Favorite all-time fighter? “Is Marvelous Marvin Hagler, for those same reasons.”
Best fight you’ve seen? “Best I’ve seen…I would have to say Glen Johnson against Roy Jones [laughs].”
Pre-fight meal? “I really don’t have like a pre-fight meal, I eat like pasta, chicken, fish, whatever.”
What do you do to relax? “Lay in my wife’s arms [smiles].”
Pre-fight superstition? “None.”
What training do you do between fights (if any)? “I basically stay in the gym. Keep working on craft. Trying to get better and better each day. Play a little bit of soccer.”
Typical breakfast? “Normally I don’t eat breakfast. For me it’s anything. Sometimes I’ll eat a little cereal or something.”
Toughest part of being a boxer? “I would say making weight.”
Favorite music? “Reggae.”
Last book you read? “What was the name of that book…My wife made me read some book about a month ago. I can’t even remember the name of it now [laughs].”
Favorite film? “I would say Something About Mary.”
What car do you drive? “H2 Hummer, H2T (orange).”
Where do you train? “Miami, Florida. A gym called Miami Fight.”
Training routine? “Run, hit the bag, sparring. A lot of gym work. Stuff like that.”
Toughest man you faced? “I would say it’s between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones.”
What supplements do you take? “I take Mega Man and B12.”
If you weren’t a boxer what would you be? “A carpenter.”
Last place you went on vacation? “Jamaica.”
Favorite soccer team? “Reggae boys.”
Best boxer in the sport today? “I would say my favorite fighter today – I don’t know if he’s the best boxer – but my favorite fighter today is Pacquiao. Outside of myself.”
Check out a different 60 Second Interview in each issue of Boxing News (U.K.) magazine.