Exclusive: Tom Tsatas Of The Legendary 5th Street Gym Talks Haye, Jones, Klitschko, Groves, Barkley

By James Slater: As fans know, the legendary 5th Street Gym in Miami reopened its doors a couple of months back and the place where so many great fighters of yesteryear trained set out to recapture the old magic. Now, with the membership growing by the day, the gym has also attracted a number of big name pros.

Tom Tstas co-runs the historic establishment, and he was kind enough to speak with me today regarding some of the recent comings and going at 5th Street. A certain David Haye and a certain Roy Jones Junior were visitors this week, and Tom spoke about this and other things:

James Slater: It’s always great to speak with you, Tom. I hear some interesting things have been happening at 5th Street recently – with David Haye and Roy Jones dropping in?

Tom Tsatas: Yeah, Dave and Roy were down here. They were talking to each other for quite a while – I think they do know each other pretty well – and they took some pictures. Then the photographers started saying, ‘do the stare-down, do the stare-down!’ So they did.

J.S: You may be able to put and end to some speculation one way or the other, Tom. Since that stare-down photo appeared on the net, fans have been suggesting Haye and Jones may fight one another. Have you heard anything?

T.T: Well, they were discussing something. I didn’t ask them what that was, out of privacy, you know. But it could happen, you never know. I think it would be an interesting fight; a crossroads match-up. Dave was here primarily for George Groves, though. He was here to help Groves – who is a great kid and a terrific talent – get ready for his fight on March 5th. Also, David likes it here; he likes the Ali history of the 5th Street Gym and he likes the weather out here.

J.S: Did Haye do any sparring? Did Jones?

T.T: No, David did some conditioning work. He’s getting ready for his next fight – I think he’s supposed to be fighting in May. Roy just popped in, we never knew he was coming. Like I say, I think a fight between the two would be interesting. I’m not sure how it would go with the U.K market, but Roy is still a big name over here; the former Pound-For-Pound king and everything. And he says he’s around 200-pounds right now and he has talked of going back to heavyweight, so who knows? Haye has a lot of options I think. And let me say this on record: guys like Eddie Chambers, who seem to think fighting Haye would be a lot easier than fighting the Klitschkos because he has come up from cruiserweight and doesn’t have all that much experience as a heavyweight – I think they are totally wrong. Haye fought Valuev and he hurt him. He stopped Ruiz when only David Tua had done it before. Haye is faster than the Klitschkos and he’s a guy who tries to knock you out; he’s not like Wladimir, who waits for it to happen. And Vitali couldn’t stop Briggs. These guys like Chambers are mistaken if they think Haye is in any way a cakewalk.

J.S: You’ve got to know Haye quite well since he’s been at the gym?

T.T: Yes. I know Dave quite well. I first met him when he was working with Fres [Oquendo], around five or six years ago. We stayed in contact, he’s a gentleman and I have nothing but good things to say about him. Aside from Ali and Fres, he’s my favourite fighter. It’s also great that David supports the gym. There is no greater honour than to have the heavyweight champion training in your gym.

J.S: As you know, Tom, fans are debating as to whether or not Haye really wants the fight with Klitschko, and vice-versa. What’s your opinion?

T.T: Knowing David the way I do, I would say he wants it. You never know what goes on in boxing though. Like Fres for instance, one more win or a KO, and he could have been the champion. Maybe if he’d taken more smart business moves and had some more luck. It’s a fine line sometimes, between being champion and not being champion. These guys really fight for this. Sometimes the judges can be swayed and vote for the start fighter. And fighters are business men. I do believe Haye wants the fight and I believe Klitschko wants it. The Klitschkos, I’ve heard, are very tough negotiators though. But Haye has given up a lot to try and make the fight. He’s definitely not scared in my opinion. And I’ll go on record: if Haye does fight one of the Klitschkos, and I think he wants Wladimir, he will win. It will be a tough fight, but Haye will really go for it as always and at some point he’ll catch Wladimir’s chin and he’ll hurt him. I’ve seen him spar a lot of rounds, and at some point he will catch him and hurt him.

J.S: We all want to see that fight so badly!

T.T: Right. The Klitschkos are very good fighters, and I don’t think there are too many other guys out there who would have a shot at beating them. I think Chambers is too small and I don’t think [Chris] Arreola has a great chance against Wladimir – we all saw what Vitali did to him. Maybe Odlanier Soils, maybe Povetkin and maybe [Tomasz] Adamek. And I would still put Fres in the list also. I really want to get Fres back up there in the top-ten. He’s not been stopped in ten years, he’s still young and he’s proven he will fight anyone. But the thing is; we will not let him get used again by any promoter. He will retire before that happens. We are talking about getting a rematch with Oliver McCall, this time on fair ground.

J.S: You think Solis can maybe beat Vitali?

T.T: Solis has a chance. It depends on what kind of shape he comes in at. He has a chin. No way do I think Vitali stops him. This fight (on March 19th) will go to a decision in my opinion. Solis certainly has a much better chance than does [Derek] Chisora against Wladimir. I think you can bet your house on Wladimir stopping him – maybe inside seven-rounds.

J.S: It’s interesting talking about the big names you have working, or have had working, at 5th Street. Who else has trained there recently, aside from Haye and Oquendo and Groves?

T.T: Well, a lot of fighters come here for the privacy; knowing they will be able to train in peace without us announcing they are here. But recently we’ve had Miguel Cotto, Solis, Ray Austin, Lucian Bute, Jean Pascal and the actor Matt Damon also. It’s been going great – we’ve only been open a couple of months. What we want is for the fans to stop by, come have a look. Work out, buy a T-shirt and soak in the magic of the place. That’s what I say to your readers on Eastside: come on by!

J.S: I sure would if I lived in the States! Can I ask you, how is Angelo Dundee? I read he had that fall and broke a hip.

T.T: He’s in rehab now, but he’s doing terrific. As soon as he’s okay he’s going to be coming back to the gym to work with the fighters. Oh, and another guy I forgot to mention – The Blade, he was here recently.

J.S: Iran Barkley?

T.T: Yeah, another great guy. He was in town and he came for a workout; hitting the pads and the bags. I spent a day with him. We’ve got to get the photos back up on the wall – Barkley with David, and all the other guys.

J.S: Absolutely. It must be great working at the fabulous 5th Street Gym! Thanks for your time once again, Tom.

T.T: Thank you, James.