James Slater: It’s always a privilege and a pleasure to speak with you, Henry. I know you have a training camp going – You and Chris have started camp already?
Henry Ramirez: Yes, camp has been fine. Chris actually started working for this fight a month ago. We’ll begin sparring on Monday, we’ll begin gradually – 4-rounds at first, and then build up to 12 rounds.
J.S: Will you use the usual guys, or will you spar with guys who back-pedal a lot, as Adamek did against Jason Estrada? Chris did say at the press conference how he expects to have to chase Adamek.
H.R: We will use guys who will emulate Adamek’s style the best, of course. Guys who will box and bang..
J.S: I myself see this as a relatively easy win for Chris – I just can’t see how Adamek wins. You are obviously doing hard work and don’t see it as that type of fight?
H.R: First of all, we respect the man for taking the proper path. Adamek is looking to earn his world title shot without going down the easy road.. And we’ve seen in the past how light-heavyweights and cruiserweights have made the successful move up to heavyweight before. Adamek is a fighter by heart, and he will come to win on April 24th. You see, Adamek has already been a world champion, he has already gotten over the hump. Adamek is a tough fight for us – make no mistake.
J.S: Chris did say at the press conference how he intends to drop down to around the 245-pound mark – because Adamek will run. Do you feel Chris will have to chase Adamek, that he will not engage? After all, Adamek did go on the back foot Vs. Jason Estrada.
H.R: I think Estrada is a good fighter, a tough fighter, who no-one could really look good against. But Chris is a natural heavyweight, with natural heavyweight power, who will apply constant pressure. I expect Adamek to box and use movement early, but the thing is; he’s [Adamek] a natural fighter, and at some time that will come out. Adamek had wars with Paul Briggs and Johnathon Banks, and that nature will come out in the fight with Chris – and Chris, the natural heavyweight, the natural puncher, will wear him down, grind him down. The plan is for Chris to impose himself. It could end early, it could end late – we’ll see.
J.S: This is a hugely exciting fight. Everyone, from Dan Goossen to the average fan on the street, is looking ahead to this one. I myself, for what it’s worth, see this as an un-winnable fight for Adamek – although he deserves great credit for taking it – but you obviously see it as a hard fight and are approaching it as the true pros you are.
H.R: You know, Chris will always have his critics, especially on your web site – he gets bashed most of all on your web site! (laughs). But he never ducks any hard fight – he’s a warrior by mentality – and this camp is the lightest Chris has entered one at for two years. He’s working hard and he started this camp at 265, whereas he started camp for the [Vitali] Klitschko camp at around 290, and he knows he may have to be light on his feet and able to throw a ton of combinations against Adamek. The bottom line is, Chris has NEVER been gassed in a fight, whereas guys of 240 or less have, and he fights hard all the way. Has Chris ever been anything other than exciting?
J.S: There’s no doubt at all, Chris is never in bad fights, and he’s never once been open-mouthed in a fight – as I’ve argued before with fans. What will a win over Adamek lead to though? Vitali [Klitschko] seems to be retiring this year and he wants a fight with Haye, while Waldimitr is busy too. Who will Chris aim for? I Did read on another website that Chris would fight “Gaye,” as he referred to Haye! That sure would be a great fight.
H.R: Well, first of all we have to get April 24h out of the way; but then Chris would fight any one – Haye or whoever else holds a belt at that time. Chris in hungry to become heavyweight champion of the world, but first he must get by Adamek.
J.S: And April 24th is a win for you?
H.R: It’s a tough fight and we respect Adamek, and Adamek will be no pushover. But Chris will be the stronger, more determined guy and he will grind Adamek down to get the win.
J.S: Thanks for your time, Henry, it’s always a pleasure.
H.R: Okay, thanks, James.