27.09.07 – by James Slater: Fight fans that recall the superb heavyweight slugfest between Vinny Maddalone and the man he stopped in five thrilling rounds, Shannon Miller, will already know a fair bit about the boxer this article focuses on. Miller, 15-3(9) hailing from Troy, New York, is a tough and game fighter. One who will be looking to give the undefeated “Baby” Joe Mesi all he can handle when they tangle on the twelfth of next month in Rhode Island. Much as in his fight with Maddalone, an exciting battle could be on the cards when the two sluggers collide. Miller, thirty-three, lost that one, but not before reeking havoc on Vinny with hurtful shots of his own. Since that fight, held back in August of 2005, Shannon has gone 4-2(3). Now, against the come-backing Mesi – much in the same way as his one-time conqueror in Maddalone got the shot of a lifetime against Evander Holyfield recently – Shannon gets his big chance. As a result, a potentially risky fight awaits the thirty-three year old known as Baby Joe..
Currently training very hard for his biggest-ever fight, Shannon nevertheless found the time to chat with me on-line earlier this week. The following is an interesting look at the heavyweight slugger’s background.
James Slater: Going right back to the beginning, Shannon, when did you first put on gloves?
Shannon Miller: I first went to the gym when I was six years old. My first fight took place when I was eight. My dad, who has been involved in training, managing and promoting fighters, took me to the gym. My dad is currently working with The Interbox Corporation in Canada. Right now he is on his way to Germany to work with Jean Franco Bergeron – who fights Nikolay Valuev, of course.
J.S: And what is your earliest boxing-related memory?
S.M: I can remember crying when Alexis Arguello lost to Aaron Pryor. That really sticks in my mind even now.
J.S: Who are your boxing heroes?
S.M: My all-time favourite fighter would be Marvellous Marvin Hagler – I loved his style and his desire.
J.S: Who, or what is your inspiration to fight?
S.M: I am inspired by the brave service men from both America and Great Britain who are fighting for our countries overseas. Boxing is a very tough sport, but, hey, no-one is trying to blow me up on an hourly basis!
J.S: Where do you train, Shannon?
S.M: Right now, I’m training at LA boxing gym in Albany, New York.
J.S: No doubt you’re working very hard for the Mesi fight. What is your training routine?
S.M: My training regimen is six days a week, totalling about eighteen rounds of bag, pad, jump rope, speed bag and other stuff. I spar very little because I believe the majority of damage that fighters sustain is due, in large part, to their sparring in the gym every couple of days. Their body is never given a chance to recover. My theory is, get hit in the head as little
as possible when not getting paid! Anyway, I’ve been boxing since I was six years old, so if I don’t know how now, I never will.
J.S: What about roadwork?
S.M: I run five days a week. I run about three to four miles each day, as well as doing sprint work too.
J.S: You turned pro in 1992, who has given you your toughest fight so far?
S.M: Vinny Maddalone was the hardest puncher I’ve faced. Whereas Derrick Rossy was the best boxer.
J.S: If you were not earning a living from being a boxer, what would you be doing?
S.M: That question is a little off for me, because unlike most boxers I’m not fighting to make a living. I do this [fight] to earn extra money for the future of my family. I was a stockbroker for over eight years – up until a little after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I know the markets and how to make money grow. I have some real estate investments and I also work training other fighters. The sad thing about boxing is fighters that are making money now don’t know how to manage it and eventually end up broke. That is very sad.
J.S: The Mesi fight could well be a great and exciting fight. What is the most exciting fight you’ve ever seen though?
S.M: The most exciting fight I’ve ever seen is Rual Balbi Vs. Leonard Dorin. My father worked in Dorin’s corner for that fight. Dorin was cut wicked but went on to win the fight. It was a very brutal fight.
A brutal fight? Will Miller Vs. Mesi give us something along those lines on October 12th? Let’s wait and see.
(many thanks to Shannon Miller for the interview, and to Pugnacious Production’s vice president, Paul Brown for helping to set it up.)