by Geoffrey Ciani (Interviewed by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) – This week’s 118th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with undefeated cruiserweight contender Ran Nakash (25-0, 18 KOs) who is scheduled to take on WBO world champion Marco Huck (31-1, 23 KOs) this Saturday in Germany. Nakash spoke about his upcoming title opportunity and also provided opinions on various aspects of the current boxing landscape. Here is a complete transcript of that interview:
JENNA J: Moving on over to our third guest of this week’s show, we’re joined by a contender coming out of the cruiserweight division. He is undefeated. His name is Ran Nakash. How are you doing today, Ran?
RAN NAKASH: I’m good.
JENNA: Excellent! Well that’s always good to hear. You have a very big fight against Marco Huck for the WBO cruiserweight title on April 2. How are you feeling?
NAKASH: I feel very good. I trained hard for a fight at the end of April against Bobby Gunn in Atlantic City and I got a call last Tuesday that I could have a title shot and I went for it!
JENNA: Well you did mention you got it last Tuesday. Are you at all worried taking a fight on such short notice will affect you when you get into the ring?
NAKASH: Yes, but it’s a title shot so I can’t say no.
JENNA: Alright well you can’t say no to it. You’ve been ranked in three of the organizations, the WBA, the WBC, and now the WBO. Do you think this was just kind of a case where you had to strike now and take t he title shot instead of waiting around to build up your ranking?
NAKASH: Yes, that’s it. If you have a chance, go for it!
JENNA: Okay now what do you think about your opponent Marco Huck?
NAKASH: I saw all the tapes. He’s a strong and tough guy. Huck’s the champion but in the ring it doesn’t matter, I’m going to go forward and hit him with my full power and I think it’s going to be okay.
JENNA: In Marco’s last bout he fought a guy by the name of Denis Lebedev and he encountered a lot of problems. Have you looked closely at that tape and are you going to—
NAKASH: From my point of view he lost this fight!
JENNA: You believe he lost that fight?
NAKASH: Yeah, the judges were very generous to him.
JENNA: Do you think you will try and put forth a similar type of game plan that Lebedev had to try to be successful?
NAKASH: Yes, but I’m not Lebedev. I have a different style, but yes I think so.
JENNA: Now you say you have a different style. Can you tell the fans out there how you would describe your style? How would you describe yourself as a fighter?
NAKASH: I like to go forward, use the jab, hit the body, and then from the body go to the head!
JENNA: Now this fight is going to be in Germany. Do you have any questions about whether you’ll get a decision and you’ll be on the wrong side of it like Denis Lebedev?
NAKASH: There is a possibility but you know this is the game. I can’t do anything besides fighting. I’m not the judges.
JENNA: What would it mean to you if you’re able to upset Marco Huck and become a champion?
NAKASH: Oh! It’s a dream come true!
JENNA: Okay, we’re also joined by my co-host Geoff.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hello Ran, it’s a pleasure to have you on the show.
NAKASH: Hi, nice to meet you.
CIANI: So when you got the call Ran, did this come as a total surprise to you? Or did you think there was a chance you might get the call when Huck’s opponent had to pull out of the fight?
NAKASH: No, because I was very concentrated for my fight on April 30 and I was told that I was going to get my chance after my next win, but it came early.
CIANI: Okay now you have a background in both kickboxing and martial arts. Can you tell us how that helped influence your career and your style as a boxer?
NAKASH: I started kickboxing at the age of 10. I tried kickboxing for 17 years. I was in Thailand and all over Europe and fighting all over in kickboxing. About four or five years ago I made the transfer from kickboxing to professional boxing.
CIANI: Now what made you decide to make that transition and to ultimately choose boxing?
NAKASH: Because there is nothing in kickboxing. It’s small. There is no money, no fights, nothing.
CIANI: Now you are the first Israeli fighter to go 25-0 since Roman Greenberg. Do you feel that you have a lot of pressure on you to succeed and win a championship.
NAKASH: Yes, I’m the first male Israeli to get a title shot.
CIANI: Changing things up here a little bit Ran, who are some of the fighters out there in boxing today that you most enjoy watching and that you have the most respect for in the sport?
NAKASH: Bernard Hopkins and Manny Pacquiao.
CIANI: Let me ask you questions about each of them and they both have upcoming fights in May. For Manny Pacquiao, he’s fighting Sugar Shane Mosley. How do you see that fight going down?
NAKASH: Mosley is very dangerous, but I think t he momentum of Manny Pacquiao is good. For my opinion, the only man that can stop Manny Pacquiao is Floyd Mayweather, not Sugar Shane.
CIANI: Do you think that Floyd and Pacquiao will ever get their situation straightened out?
NAKASH: I hope so. I hope so, yeah.
CIANI: You also mentioned Bernard Hopkins. Now he has a rematch coming up against Jean Pascal after a fight where Hopkins once again surprised a lot of people by putting on a great effort.
NAKASH: He’s 46 years and he fought against the world champion and he won that fight.
CIANI: Most people do feel that he won. He was officially given a draw. Do you think that—
NAKASH: He was given a draw in Canada against a Canadian guy! That really means he won the fight.
JENNA: Alright now Ran, the cruiserweight division has a lot of talent in it. Do you consider Marco Huck to be the best of the champions out there?
NAKASH: No, I think Steve Cunningham is better.
JENNA: What do you think about Steve Cunningham as a fighter?
NAKASH: He’s a great fighter. I sparred with him last year. He’s a great fighter.
JENNA: There has been talk in the past about a cruiserweight Super Six. Do you think a tournament like that could help this division get more notoriety?
NAKASH: Yes, it’s very interesting.
JENNA: Now let’s go back to your fight with Marco Huck. What do you think is going to be your strongest advantage in this fight?
NAKASH: I think my power.
JENNA: So do you think if you’re going to win the fight you’ll probably have to stop him?
NAKASH: Yes, or I have to control all twelve rounds that are going to be one-sided. This is the only way to win in Germany against a German guy.
JENNA: One of the few criticisms people give you is that you really haven’t fought anybody yet. Do you think that will be a disadvantage when you get into the ring with Marco Huck?
NAKASH: No, I don’t think so. I’ve sparred with the big names like Eddie Chambers, Steve Cunningham, and Wayne Braithwaite, so I’m feeling ready and good.
JENNA: Well what do you think is his strongest advantage against you?
NAKASH: He’s very awkward and he’s in very good shape. You can see in all of his fights it’s t he same style. He wins by making a lot of mess in the ring.
JENNA: What does it mean to be an Israeli fighter?
NAKASH: There is no boxing in Israel. We are the only gym that does boxing in Israel so when you want sparring you need to go overseas. There is nothing in Israel.
JENNA: Alright well the last Jewish fighter to win a world title at light heavyweight or higher was Mike Rossman. What would it mean to you to get that distinction?
NAKASH: Oh this is the biggest dream that I can wish!
JENNA: What is your official prediction against Marco Huck on April 2?
NAKASH: Win.
JENNA: Well short and sweet. I have one final question. You have fans out there. Is there anything you want to say to them?
NAKASH: Yeah, thanks for the support. There are a lot of guys from Israel and the States coming to see me in Germany and it’s very nice to see.
JENNA: Well it’s been great talking to you, Ran. We wish you all the best of luck and are looking forward to seeing the fight.
NAKASH: Thank you very much.
CIANI: Thanks Ran. Good luck.
NAKASH: Alright, thank you.
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For those interested in listening to the Ran Nakash interview in its entirety, it begins approximately forty-eight minutes into the program.
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