04.04.08 – Interview by Peter Mark Heintzelman, Photos by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Thirty-four year old, Andre “Tombstone” Purlette, 40-2, 35 KO’s got started in boxing because he was tired of getting his school lunch money beat out of him during his youth in Guyana. He moved to the United States to enhance his boxing opportunities, and has amassed an unbelievable record of 40-2, 35 KO’s in a tough cruiserweight division..
Along the way, he grabbed the NABO Cruiserweight Championship defeating Jeremy Bates by a second round TKO, in 2001. Although fighting since 1992, back in Georgetown, he has a gap in his record, not fighting at all in 2004-2005, and only once a year since then, with a five fight winning streak.
He is considered a notable step up for his opponent, “Awesome” Aaron Williams, against whom he is pitted to fight on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights from Twin River Event Center, in Lincoln, Rhode Island tonight.
EastSideBoxing had the opportunity to interview Purlette just after he weighed in at 199 lbs before the Rhode Island Boxing Commission:
EastSideBoxing.com: Andre, how are you feeling, and where are you living?
Purlette: I’m good, I’m feeling good. I’m outta town right now. I live in Florida, but lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time training in New Jersey with my trainer and managers. Boxing is my life.
EastSideBoxing.com: Are you ready for this eight round fight Friday night with Aaron Williams?
Purlette: I’m as ready as I’m going to be. I’m in great shape, I had good boxing from John Banks. I train with James Ali Bashir. I was out in Detroit for camp, and I’m in great shape.
EastSideBoxing.com: Are you coming into this fight with any injuries?
Purlette: No, no, I’m in good shape.
EastSideBoxing.com: Who’s your favorite cruiserweight, besides yourself?
Purlette: There are some interesting guys out there that I’ve seen. I like David Haye. I look like to fight with him in the future. I like Wayne Braithwaite he‘s an interesting fighter as well, and would like to fight him.
EastSideBoxing.com: What do you know of your opponent, Aaron Williams, and what do you expect his fight strategy will be against you?
Purlette: He’s a fast, speedy boxer. If the referee will let us fight, it will be an unbelievable fight.
EastSideBoxing.com: What is your strategy for the fight?
Purlette: I’m coming to fight, but the looks of it, he’s going to be in a fight like he’s never been in!
EastSideBoxing.com: So, how do you describe your style – are you a boxer or a puncher?
Purlette: Well, I can box when I need to box, like my fight with Castillo, of course, that was years ago. He’s was boxing me, so I had to box. But this guy (Williams) is a boxer, so I need to be ready to box, but, I can fight when I need to fight too.
EastSideBoxing.com: So, you are on a five fight winning streak, and when do you think that’s going to end?
Purlette: That’s not going to end. I haven’t lost at cruiserweight up to now. My two losses were at heavyweight (to Jeremy Williams in 2003, and Elieser Castillo in 2002), and I don’t intend to leave it in the referee or judges’ hands.
EastSideBoxing.com: Williams comes in 13 years young than you. Do you think being 34 years old, and him 21, gives him any advantage?
Purlette: I don’t see that it means anything.
EastSideBoxing.com: What are your predictions as to the outcome of this fight?
Purlette: I hope that the judge’s are fair, and everybody sees me as one of the best legitimate cruiserweights out there. I hope they give me the opportunity to fight for a title. I’ve been around the business for so long. Dang It! You know what I mean?
EastSideBoxing.com: How does it feel to be on ESPN2 national television for this fight?
Purlette: It feels good, after being out for a while, its good to come back. I’ve been on ESPN before, but my thing is, I’ve been here already. I’ve been where he’s at. While he (Williams) is the guy who has to prove himself, I’m going to make him prove himself, and he will have to do a damn good job of it, to prove himself.
EastSideBoxing.com: Do you feel it puts any more pressure on you, to be on national television, to do all the better on Friday night?
Purlette: No, I don’t see it putting any more pressure on myself. A good fighter becomes great under pressure. So, I see an opportunity, you know. You see, pressure makes dominance, right?
EastSideBoxing.com: What ever got you into boxing to begin with; what got you started?
Purlette: It was my start many years ago, defending myself. Being beat up on as a youngster in Guyana. I was encouraged to go into the gym, and learn how to defend myself. I picked it up from there, and never looked back. It brought me this far. I know he’s (Williams) a good young fighter, and I’ve got the experience, so I think it makes for a really good fight.
EastSideBoxing.com: Who’s working your corner on Friday night?
Purlette: My trainer, James Ali Bashir.
EastSideBoxing.com: Anything else, Andre, you want to say to your fans at EastSideBoxing.com?
Purlette: I just want to thank EastSideBoxing for your support, and I’m not going to let you guys down!
ESPN2 airs at 9:00 p.m., for those of you not fortunate to see the fights live.
Tickets for “Heavy Hitters” are priced at $35.00 (ADA stage seating only), $40.00, $50.00 are sold out, (Bronze), $75.00 (Silver), $100.00 (Gold) and $150.00 (Jimmy’s Platinum Club) and are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going on line at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at the Twin River Event Center (100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, RI), or any TicketMaster location. Contact CES at 401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Twin River Events Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6 PM/ET, first bout at 7 PM/ET. Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “Heavy Hitters.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.