Exclusive Interview by James Slater – Exciting heavyweight slugger Vinny Maddalone, 30-4 (21) with 1 no-contest, is back in action this coming October 29th. Taking on a huge guy in the approx 260-pound Terrell Nelson, 8-6(5), Vinny will be keeping busy with his third fight this year.
Wanting to keep his name out there whilst also hoping to get another big opportunity the like of which he got when he faced former four-time heavyweight king Evander Holyfield in March of last year, the 34-year-old from The Bronx says he is looking forward to his upcoming bout.
A great guy to speak with, as always, Vinny very kindly gave this writer some of his time earlier today. Here are “The Real Life Rocky’s” answers to my questions..
James Slater: It’s great to speak with you, Vinny. Firstly, this fight you have with Terrell Nelson on October 29th – are you just looking to keep busy mostly?
Vinny Maddalone: Absolutely. This will be my third fight this year, all in New York, and I’m looking forward to it. I know Joe [DeGuardia] has things in the pipeline for the future, so I’m hoping to get the win on October 29th.
J.S: What do you know about Nelson – I see he’s been in with Nikolai Valuev (TKO by 2).
V.M: Yeah, he’s a guy who comes to fight. I’ve seen him fight before in The Bronx on a couple of Joe’s shows. He definitely comes at you and if he does that with me it will make it an entertaining fight. I like guys to come at me.
J.S: He’s a big guy at approx 260-pounds, any concerns there?
V.M: No, not really. He’s a big guy, but I’ve been in with strong guys in the past. I’m not really too concerned with what he’s going to do, I’m only thinking about what I have to do. He’s from New Jersey, so he’s going to have some fans there. The thing is, everyone who fights me tries really hard. You know, I’ve got a name here so they know if they beat me they will go up a notch. People can say what they want, but a guy’s record doesn’t mean too much. Everyone who fights me tries real hard (laughs).
J.S: I know you’re a guy who is always in shape. Have you been in the gym pretty much constantly since your last fight in August?
V.M: Yes. I had one week off after the last fight, and then went back in the gym – two or three days a week at first. Then, as soon as I found out about this fight, I’ve been in the gym fulltime. I’ll have had a good six weeks [training] for this fight.
J.S: Going back to your big fight with Evander Holyfield (TKO by 3). What are your memories of that fight, are you still unhappy that Al Certo stopped it when he did?
V.M: Oh, yeah. I think about it all the time. I was unhappy with the stoppage. I trained very hard for that fight and I wanted to come back to the corner [at the end of the 3rd round] and let him ask me how I was. You know, I wanted to go out on my own terms. I wanted to make the decision, that’s all I wanted. But still, even though I went into that fight looking at it like any other opponent, I can say I was in there with a Hall of Famer.
J.S: You said before that Joe maybe has something lined up, what is it you are hoping for right now?
V.M: I just want the opportunities for a big fight. I’d really like to go overseas and box. I think the fans would fall in love with me overseas like that have done here in the states. I’d love to fight in the U.K or in Germany.
J.S: If someone said you could have any opponent you wanted, what would be your dream fight, so to speak?
V.M: Definitely a championship fight. [Wladimir] Klitschko is the best heavyweight we have right now, so a fight with him would be great. You know, I wouldn’t disappoint, I’d give it everything I have. The fans know that about me, they pay a lot of money to see a fight, and I give them value for their money. I give my all each time out, and you can’t really say that about some of the other fighters out there.
J.S: You also mentioned coming to the U.K, where I’m from. Would you jump at a fight with an Audley Harrison or a Danny Williams?
V.M: Yeah, that would be great. If we could work something out, I’d love to. Like I say, I just want the opportunity.
J.S: Thirty-four is in no way old for a heavyweight these days, how much longer do you think you’ll continue to fight?
V.M: I think I’ve got a good three or four years ahead of me yet. I live a clean life. What drives me is getting a big chance at a world title. I’ll regret it if I never get the chance to fight for a world title. That’s what makes me get up each day and train hard.
J.S: Well, I hope you get the opportunity, Vinny. It’s been great speaking with you. Good luck for the rest of your career.
V.M: Okay, thank you, James. Call up any time.