By James Slater: Reigning WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will fight a “Homecoming” fight on Feb. 25th in Cardiff, Wales, with the unbeaten 24-year-old defending his belt for the second time. Challenging “Clev” will be 26-year-old Tommy Karpency of Pennsylvania – and the southpaw challenger with the 21-2-1(14) record will be in no mood to allow the Welshman to enjoy his homecoming.
Never stopped in his six-year pro career (Karpency’s two defeats coming against Rayco Saunders and Karo Murat respectively), Tommy enters the near sell-out show as a dangerous “nothing to lose” fighter. Currently training as hard as he can for the biggest fight of his life, Tommy very kindly took the time to answer my questions earlier this week.
Here is what Karpency had to say (thanks to Pat Nelson for arranging this interview):
James Slater: First of all, Tommy, how many of Nathan Cleverly’s fights have you seen?
Tommy Karpency: I’ve seen three: the [Karo] Murat fight, the [Tony] Bellew fight and the [Aleksy] Kuziemski fight.
J.S: For those fans who have not seen you fight, how would you describe your style?
T.K: I’m a Boxer/Puncher
J.S: And what is your favourite/best punch?
T.K: Everything works off my jab; all my punches.
J.S: And who has given you your toughest fight so far as a pro?
T.K: Karo Murat (who out pointed Tommy over 12-rounds back in May of 2010)
J.S: As you know, this will be your first fight in U.K, are you excited or nervous or both?
T.K: I’m very excited and I’m also thankful for the opportunity.
J.S: Tommy, you are entering this fight as a considerable underdog, does that simply motivate you more?
T.K: Of course. However, in my mind I do not feel that I am an underdog. I am coming to fight, and I am coming to win!
J.S: By fight time, you will have been out of the ring for approx one year: are you worried at all about the possibility of ring-rust?
T.K: No, there is no rust here. I live in the gym and I have spent considerable time in training camps with WBA champ Beibut Shumenov and contender Adrian Diaconu.
J.S: You are a southpaw, do you think your stance will give Cleverly trouble?
T.K: Yes, I believe so. Cleverly has not faced many southpaws, and none have been as good as I am.
J.S: You will be shaking up the 175-pound division big time if/when you win this fight; what would a win mean for YOU?
T.K: Like any other fighter, a world championship would be a dream come true.
J.S: Assuming you do score the upset, which other light-heavyweights would you like to fight?
T.K: Nathan Cleverly is the only fighter in my thoughts at this point.
J.S: Thanks for your time, and best wishes for the big fight. Your final prediction for Feb. 25th?
T.K: That Wales will host the most exciting and memorable world title fight in many years!