Interview with up-and-comer Matt "SHARP SHOOTER" Remillard
Interview with Matt Remillard, WBC Featherweight Youth Champion
“I had kind of a rough childhood. I got into a lot of fights.”
There are a lot of things you can say about Matt Remillard, current WBC Featherweight Youth Champion. Arrogance is not one of them. It’s breath of fresh air to see how grounded the 21 year old Remillard is. “I’m not trying to rush into a title fight in the next year or anything. My career is going smoothly.”
His progression in the sport has been steady amassing a 13-0 record while stopping 7 men, over fifty percent of his increasingly more difficult competition inside the distance.
He fights out of Manchester Connecticut in the same gym he walked into years ago. He was a young, tough kid with a self admitted chip on his shoulder. He was doing community service. Matt Remillard’s path to boxing was a bumpy one. But it was one that led him to where he is today, a champion.
Saddoboxing: So Matt, what got you into boxing?
Remillard: I’ve always liked boxing. I remember watching fights with my father and grandfather. You know the classic fights like Ali and Frazier. I’ve always been a fan of the sport.
I had kind of a rough childhood. I got into a lot of fights. I used to get in fights at school and stuff. I had to do community service. I was sent to the Police Athletic League by a police officer by the name of Anthony DeJulis.
SB: I had heard that you weren’t treated to kindly when you first started at P.A.L. Tell me about that.
MR: I had a chip on my shoulder… Yeah Paul (Cichon) had me do stuff like clean the toilets, empty the spit buckets, wash the windows. Stuff like that. I’d go in there and ask him if I could box everyday and he said no. After a few weeks I said “Can I please box.” He finally let me and I’ve been fighting ever since.
SB: Who are the guys you look up to in the sport?
MR: Well, there are a lot of guys but if I were to go by the current fighters it would have to be boxers like Mayweather and Pacquiao because of their dedication to the sport. They don’t just try to get by on their natural ability. They work hard.
SB: Who would you say you model your style after?
MR: (laughs) I don’t know. I don’t try to fight like anyone. I fight like Matt Remillard. I take bits and pieces. I don’t try to imitate anybody.
SB: What was your amateur pedigree like? How many fights did you have?
MR: I was roughly 140 fights. It was something around 125-15.
SB: Was there any highlights that jump out at you from the amateurs.
MR: Um, well, I was two time under 19 champion. I won the Ohio State Fair. I’ve been in many National tournaments and won medals. I’ve traveled to England and Korea with the USA World Team. I gained a lot of experience.
SB: I see you’re fighting on June 13th (changed from May 23rd) at the Connecticut Convention Center. Do you have an opponent named as of yet?
MR: Not yet. We have a list that’s coming from the WBC in a week or so with possible opponents. We’ll wait and see that and go from there.
SB: Your last fight on the Lee/Vera card was a four rounder against a grizzled vet, Salvador Perez. Was it tough to move down after fighting in ten rounders?
MR: The weigh-in was Thursday night. I got the call on Wednesday.
SB: You took the fight on one day notice?
MR: Yeah. It was in the contract that the fight would be six or eight rounds. It ended up being four rounds. You know, now I see what The Contender guys went through fighting those five rounders. A four rounder is like a breeze for me. I’m a ten and twelve round guy. People think it should be easy. Like, just go in there and throw a hundred punches per round. It’s tough, me being a late starter and all.
SB: Where are you currently training out of?
MR: Manchester P.A.L.
SB: So you’re still where you started with your original trainer?
MR: Yeah, I’m still with Paul. I’ll always be with Paul.
SB: Are you guys looking at anyone right now towards the top of the division?
MR: I’m waiting to see what happens. I’m not the type of guy to call someone out but I won’t turn anyone down. There a guy who’s been mentioning my name, Dat Nguyen. He’s 11-1. Like I said, I won’t turn anyone down. My career is progressing well. I’m not rushing anything. I’m not going to rush a fight that could make more money down the line.
SB: So, you’ve been on TV more often lately. Are there any other televised fights in the works?
MR: I think the June fight is going to be on some network. I’d like to get on ESPN more often. Maybe get on Showtime.
SB: Any closing comments for your fans?
MR: Yeah, I just want to that my team, Team Remillard and thank everyone supporting me. Look out June 13th. I’m going to put on a good show.
SB: Thanks so much for speaking with me today. Your career is progressing nicely and we hope to see more from you in the future.
MR: Thanks, Anytime.
Total Comments 3
Comments
 |  Looked like shit his last time out to be honest. Fun fighter to watch but no outside game and how many times did he shoot over the top and not shorten up? I wasn't impressed with him nor Lee but best of luck to him. |
Posted 04-24-2008 at 04:34 AM by amat  |
| |  Good stuff POB, really enjoyed the read here. Good luck to Matt in the future. |
Posted 05-20-2008 at 02:25 AM by CutMeMick  |
| |  Great stuff man |
| Posted 05-22-2008 at 02:10 PM by Deanrw |
Recent Blog Entries by PRIDE OF BOSTON
- My new glove from the Hall of Fame weekend. (06-18-2008)
- Interview with up-and-comer Matt "SHARP SHOOTER" Remillard (04-23-2008)
- My interview with 2 time Heavyweight World Champion John Ruiz (04-09-2008)
- My night at THE CONTENDER 3 finale (03-27-2008)
- A Teddy was following me around! (03-27-2008)
