by Coach Tim Walker – The heavyweight boxing division is wide open for contenders. Somebody, please contend! Jamaican born boxer Lenroy Thomas feels that he is the fighter who can answer the call to contend in the heavyweight division much sooner than later. With a good amateur background that had him ranked as high #2 and a 6′-3″ 240 pound gladiator-like frame that seemingly dwarfs most men Lenroy girds his 12-1 (8 KO) record around his loins like a man on mission. Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Lenroy. I asked him about his amateur background, the current state of the heavyweight division and that glaring loss on his record. Here is how our conversation went down..
Walker: Hey what’s going on Lenroy how is everything going for you right now?
Lenroy: Everything is going good brother. I’m living life and loving boxing.
Walker: Boxing fans might not be as familiar with you as I am given that I am a native Floridian. I saw you fight once in Tampa and again in Pompano Beach at Club Cinema. Give us an idea of your amateur background.
Lenroy: Well I had a good amateur career that had me ranked as high as number 2 but I did start boxing late. I fought some good guys, knocked out some good guys too. I have gone to the nationals, been ranked as high as number 2, won a couple of Golden Gloves titles, PAL titles and several state titles as well. Currently I am managed and trained by the legendary Dan Birmingham, I’m also promoted by TKO Promotions and Left Hook Promotions as well.
Walker: With that kind of success as an amateur why didn’t you go the Olympics or at least take a stab at the Olympic Trials?
Lenroy: Let’s just say that I wasn’t as prepared with residency back then as I am today. Nevertheless it got me to go pro sooner than later and if I hadn’t I would probably just not be
starting my professional career. It all worked out for the good.
Walker: The heavyweight division seems to be wide open. Arguably the best two heavyweights in the world or brothers and have no desire to face off. Then you have Chris Arreola, Eddie Chambers and a few others but no one has really challenged either of the Klitschko brothers. Do you feel that you could?
Lenroy: Without a doubt I can and will. All these guys go on boxrec.com and look to see who the next up and coming fighters are so I think they know who I am. They know there is a lot I bring to the table but I’m still learning too. I may not have the popularity of (Chris) Arreola, Kevin Johnson or (Eddie) Chambers just yet but I will one day. I plan on fighting 4-6 more times this year so that should help.
Walker: You’re taking on Gabe Brown Saturday night on the undercard of Hook City. He’s been in with some tough guys: Clifford Etienne, Lance Whitaker and recently Bruce Seldon and Dominick Guinn. Do you feel he is a step up for you?
Lenroy: Absolutely! He is the first big test for me but I look at it as he is in my way and in order to move to the next level I have to take on and defeat guys like this. You said it yourself, the heavyweight division is wide open. So if I can keep winning big everything will take care of itself.
Walker: Going back to the beginning of your career, you lost to Ruben Rivera. He tagged you and knocked you down then hit you twice while you were on the floor. He didn’t get disqualified but was deducted 2 points. Did you just not recover from the fouls or what happened?
Lenroy: Yeah, he caught me then fouled me twice. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t loose that fight. Even he (Rivera) told me in the ring that I won that fight. Teddy Atlas and Bob Papa both felt won that fight. After my loss both Jeff Lacy and Arturo Gatti stepped to me and told me just go back to drawing board. That’s just what I did. Two weeks later I challenged Jason Ellison and knocked him out in the first round. A couple of months later I knocked out Demesetri Horton. Two months after that I knocked out Maurice Winslow. But now its time to step it up.
Walker: He hasn’t done anything since fighting you. Do you want to rematch him or have you just moved on from that fight?
Lenroy: No fighter likes seeing a loss on their record. I have tried to rematch him. I offered to take a lesser purse to rematch him. Promoters have offered to overpay him even doubling his purse but he won’t rematch me. I’d love to rematch him to get that look off my resume but what can I do if he won’t fight me. Let me put it this way, I’ll fight him anytime but at this point its in God’s hands.
For questions or comments please contact Coach Tim Walker at tpwalker@hotmail.com. Photo courtesy of Lenroy Thomas thru his official website at www.lenroythomas.com.