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All Boxing Interviews’ Articles
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By Jim Everett July 25th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
Boxing is a sport full of emotion; it can provide athletes and fans alike the opportunity to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Unfortunately, on last week’s edition of ESPN Wednesday Night Fights, that’s exactly what happened when Delvin Rodriguez won the USBA Welterweight title and opponent Oscar Diaz collapsed in the ring from a subdural hematoma.
The scheduled twelve round bout took place at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas, the hometown of Diaz. His fans came out to support him in the anticipated match, which was expected to be an action packed fight.
The fight did not disappoint the fans as the action traded back and forth between the fighters. Diaz tried to work his way in from the outside and was successful in the fourth round, landing a strong right over the jab, wobbling Rodriguez.
Rodriguez covered up and began to fight his way back by the end of the round.
During the next several rounds, Rodriguez took over the fight, keeping Diaz on the outside with his jab and straight right. In the ninth round, Diaz’s right eye was swollen shut from the hard snapping punches of Rodriguez.
Although Rodriguez won a lop-sided tenth round, it did not appear that Diaz was in any serious trouble. Before the eleventh round, the referee asked Diaz how many fingers he was holding up. Diaz appeared to answer as he rose to his feet, and then the referee asked him if he wanted to continue, to which Diaz let out a scream, pushing the referee’s arm away and turning towards the ropes as his legs went out from under him.
Now laying in the corner and quickly attended to by EMTs, Diaz was provided medical attention and put onto a stretcher where he was taken to the San Antonio University Medical Center for emergency surgery to reduce the swelling of his brain.
As the EMTs attended to Diaz, Rodriguez was looking on, trying to get an indication of what was happening. He later took the microphone to address the crowd, saying “I’m praying for Oscar and his family and will continue to pray for him throughout the night. I ask everyone else to pray for him.”
The most recent reports on Oscar Diaz are that he is in a coma and listed in critical but stable condition. The doctor that performed the emergency surgery has stated that he expects that Diaz should survive the injury and recover.
SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to speak with Delvin Rodriguez in an exclusive phone interview to find out what the experience has been like for him. More...
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By Curtis McCormick July 24th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© M.A. Sayer of arena box-promotion
Welterweight Selcuk Aydin, 15-0 (12), has parlayed sterling amateur days bristling with medal winning efforts into one of the most promising professional careers in the world of boxing today.
The 24 year old from Trabzon, Turkey is one of the brightest stars in the stable of Hamburg, Germany based promoter Ahmet Oner's Arena Box-Promotion and shed the prospect tag in April when he defeated tough South African Lucky Lewle over twelve rounds to win the vacant WBC International Welterweight title.
SaddoBoxing: How did it feel to fight in your hometown for the first time in your career? Would you like to do so again or is it better to only fight in front of friends and family every now and then?
Selcuk Aydin: I used to fight in Trabzon a lot as an amateur, but doing a professional fight in front of your home crowd is a whole different story. It felt great to be there and to show all my fans, friends and especially my family, my best boxing. It was a great honour for me fighting in Trabzon and I thank Ahmet Öner and Arena Box-Promotion for making this possible. More...
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By Jane Warburton July 10th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Friday night at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England Hennessy Sports hosts an exciting night of boxing billed as ‘Strictly Business’, which headlines John Murray and Lee Meager’s clash over the vacant British Lightweight title.
But also looking forward to his fight on Friday night is Darren Askew - the Workington-born southpaw who now lives in Manchester, training under Joe Pennington at the Northside Boxing Gym.
He faces Graham Fearn of York in a six round welterweight contest. Fearn - ten years older than Askew - has won all four of his professional contests.
SaddoBoxing caught up with Darren as he attended a press conference for the fight card recently at the trendy casino, Manchester 235. More...
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By Shawn M Murphy July 10th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
Recently, I spoke with former WBA Light Heavyweight Champ, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Born Eddie Gregory, Muhammad won two New York Golden Gloves Championships as an amateur. Known as "Flame", Muhammad would win the light heavyweight title against Marvin Johnson in 1980 by TKO. He defended twice before losing to Michael Spinks in 1981. He would retire in 1988 with a 50-8-1 record.
Shawn Murphy: Eddie, can you tell me the highlights of your amateur career?
Eddie Mustafa Muhammad: One of the highlights was being an alternate on the 1972 Olympic team. I also won the Golden Gloves titles in 1971 and 1972. I beat Vito Antuofermo in 1971 and Patrick Maloney in 1972.
SM: Where did you get the nickname the "Flame"?
EM: My first manager had a restaurant called The Flame. He said your hands are fast and thatʼs the way we cook the steaks, so we'll call you "Flame".
SM: What about your first title shot against Victor Galindez in 1977? Do you think you actually won that fight?
EM: You know what, everyone said I won that fight, even the announcers. But I was in his territory, so going in I knew it would be rough. Don't get me wrong, Victor Galindez was a very credible champion and it was an honor to fight a guy like that. It was a real good fight, but I thought I beat him. More...
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By Jim Everett June 27th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
You wouldn’t know by reading all the boxing press in the media, but there is actually another fight taking place besides the Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz title bout on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. With all the focus on Pacquiao, it may be easy to overlook that two heavyweights will meet for a crossroads fight that can make or break either fighter's career.
Veteran Monte Barrett, 33-6 (19), has been put in place as a tough “opponent” to prospect Tye Fields, 41-1 (37). Fields' promoter Bob Arum feels the giant could be the next great American heavyweight and is looking forward to Fields' step up in competition on Saturday, which could propel him into contender status with an impressive win.
The thirty-seven year-old Barrett doesn’t quite see it the same way as Arum and believes Fields is an “opponent” for him with an impressive victory providing him more opportunities in his future. More...
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By Shawn M Murphy June 18th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
Recently it was my great pleasure to speak with former World Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo. Antuofermo was born in Italy, later moving to the United States. Antuofermo was a New York Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur, and won the World Middleweight Championship in 1979 over Hugo Corro.
After a defense over Marvin Hagler in a controversial draw, Antuofermo lost the title to Alan Minter by split decision. Antuofermo, known for a tendency to bleed, would also lose rematches later to Hagler and Minter via TKOʼs.
Well known fighters he would beat included Emile Griffith, Bennie Briscoe, Denny Moyer, Willie Classen and Eckhard Dagge. After a loss in 1985 to Matthew Hilton, Antuofermo retired with a record of 50-7-2.
Shawn Murphy: Mr. Antuofermo, how did you get your start in boxing, was it in Italy or the US?
Vito Antuofermo: I started as an amateur in America at age 17. I had a very good amateur career. I won the Golden Gloves title in 1970. In 1971 I was defeated in the finals by a guy named Eddie Gregory [later known as Eddie Mustafa Muhammad]. Eddie was a future light heavyweight champ and a big puncher. I did beat him the year before that loss.
SM: I have read in a previous interview that winning the Golden Gloves title was as proud a moment as when you won the middleweight title?
VA: Yes, Shawn I still believe that. It was a real honor to win the Golden Gloves. My son wanted the Golden Gloves title real bad too. He was a very good boxer but also was a very good student. He won his first three fights. In his last fight he didnʼt get the decision. I thought it was a bad decision. The guy that beat him ended up winning the title. I was very proud of him. I wouldnʼt want him to go pro, though. More...
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By Jane Warburton June 17th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Saturday 21 June, at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England, sees the much anticipated clash between Michael Gomez and Amir Khan in a Sports Network / Frank Warren promoted fight night.
Gomez, fighting out of Bobby Rimmer’s Fight Academy, Stalybridge, Manchester - is looking for the best birthday present ever - successfully defeating Bolton’s Khan.
Khan, who now trains under Dean Powell, will be looking for his 18th professional win and fourth defence of his Commonwealth Lightweight title in front of a sell-out crowd.
SaddoBoxing spoke to Bobby Rimmer this morning regarding the fight: More...
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By Curtis McCormick June 5th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing
SaddoBoxing had the honor of briefly speaking with Oscar De La Hoya, a man who needs no introduction, in the dressing room of Ricky Hatton after the Hatton vs. Lazcano fight in Manchester, England recently.
SaddoBoxing: What are your impressions on the Hatton vs. Lazcano bout that we just saw?
Oscar De La Hoya: "I was telling Ricky I thought that he did excellent. Excellent because he answered a lot of questions. [such as] Can he come back from a loss? Can he keep his composure in front of 56,000 people in his hometown?
"That's a lot of pressure for a fighter that just came off a loss, but I telling Ricky he looked excellent, because considering all those factors, considering all those pressures he was able to keep his composure, he was able to outhustle a fighter who has a lot of experience, a granite chin and the heart of a lion. So, he did great." More...
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By Curtis McCormick June 3rd, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Curtis McCormick / Saddo Boxing
SaddoBoxing had the good fortune to catch up with one of the top middleweights in Britain, Paul Smith, 23-0 (13), while in Ricky Hatton's dressing room following the victory of "The Hitman" over Juan Lazcano recently at City of Manchester Stadium in England.
Paul had burst onto the national scene in Britain on the strength of his 2002 Commonwealth Games Silver Medal winning performance as a light middleweight, losing only to Canada's Jean Pascal, the currently undefeated NABO/NABF/NABA Super Middleweight Champion.
Turning pro in April, 2003, the Liverpool based "Real Gone Kid" matriculated under the watchful eye of trainer Billy Graham, counting Ricky and Matthew Hatton along with Matt Macklin, Steven Bell among his stablemates and ran his record to 14-0 through 2005. More...
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By Shawn M Murphy June 3rd, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
Recently, I spoke with former World Light-Heavyweight Champion John Conteh. As an amateur, Conteh was a Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight National Champion. As a pro, he won the vacant Light-Heavyweight title against Argentinaʼs Jorge Ahumada in 1974.
After three defenses, he was stripped of that title for failing to defend against Miguel Cuello. Conteh would fail in future title opportunities to Mate Parlov and twice against Matthew Saad Muhammad. He is considered one of Britainʼs most successful boxers. He retired in 1980 with a record of 34-4-1.
Shawn Murphy: At what age did you first start boxing?
John Conteh: I started around eleven years of age. My dad was teaching me boxing. He wasnʼt a boxer but he taught me. I had a good amateur career, won a few amateur titles. I really committed myself around eighteen years of age. I had probably fifty or so amateur fights.
SM: Do you remember anything special about your first pro fight?
JC: Yeah, it was in Liverpool. I knocked out Okacha Boubekeur in one round. George Francis was my manager and Jack Sullivan was my promoter. I had about three fights with Jack and then signed with a bigger syndicate.
SM: After you beat Terry Daniels in 1973, you were considered a heavyweight prospect. Any serious thoughts about fighting as a straight up heavyweight at that time?
JC: I just left that in the hands of my manager. They were picking heavyweight fights for me, but I really didnʼt think I was that big. I was about 13 stones at the time, just a 1/2 stone over the light-heavyweight limit. More...
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By Daxx Kahn June 2nd, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
"I am curious myself on what will happen."
Sergio Mora, 20-1 (5), the winner of season one of "The Contender" TV series several years ago, was supposed to become a superstar overnight. After all, the whole idea of the show was to give up and coming fighters, or fighters who just missed the big picture, one last chance at stardom.
Mora appeared on the show week after week and beat opponent after opponent, advancing to the finals until he was the last man left, taking home $750,000 in prize money and the Contender championship.
The proposal was that the winner, in addition to receiving the aforementioned prizes, would be promoted like one of the sport's top names, appearing as the main event on fight cards through out the world.
But that's not exactly what happened. While there were title shots, main events and big money bouts, those "awards" were given to Peter Manfredo and Alfonso Gomez, two fighters who participated in the Contender, but did not win the series.
Manfredo faced 168 lb kingpin Joe Calzaghe in Wales last year on a premier cable network during a losing bid for the WBO Super Middleweight Championship and Gomez defeated former world champion Arturo Gatti on a premier cable network in a 2007 main event before losing to WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto just last month.
While Moraʼs fellow Contender alumni lost their title bids, the fact remains that they received those title bids. So what was to become of the inagural Contender champion?
Just a bit over a year ago, Mora was offered a title shot at then middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor. It was a bout that had venues and surroundings changing so often that before things could be agreed upon 100%, it never materialized.
Then, a fight scheduled for late last year with high volume punching former two time 154 lb IBF title holder Kassim Ouma fell apart as well, leaving Mora to accept a bout on an ESPN undercard against Rito Ruvalcaba. More...
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By Jim Everett May 30th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Sweet Science Events will be hosting an exciting night of boxing tonight, May 30 at Moticello Raceway, Monticello, NY. In the main attraction, Darrel “King David” Madison, 9-1 (3), will face veteran Zuri Lawrence, 23-13-4, for the vacant New York State Heavyweight Title.
After a good amateur career, Madison had his first professional fight in November of 2006 and did what any new prospect should do, he fought four and six round fights facing other new prospects. Over the last year and a half, he stayed busy and fought ten times, facing opponents that had up to eight professional fights.
While some fighters talk about stepping up their level of competition, Madison means what he says. When he steps into the ring tonight, he will face a veteran that has five times the professional ring experience of anyone he has ever faced and who has also been in the ring with past heavyweight champions, contenders and Olympians.
SaddoBoxing had the pleasure of speaking with Madison to talk about his big opportunity and what he has been doing to prepare for his first eight-round main event title fight. More...
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By Gerald Rice May 22nd, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
“She is a five foot five quick, hard hitting, punching machine” described one reporter. “It is a mistake to step in the ring with her. If you don’t believe me all you have to do is see her fight” said another. If you left out the words her, she and five foot five one would think these people were describing a young upcoming heavyweight contender. Yet the fighter they speak of could not be any further from that mental picture, though she has a few traits that do bring out heavyweight excitement.
Sandy “Lil Tyson” Tsagouris 7-1 (3) is a world ranked up and coming female featherweight contender who attacks opponents with all the power, desire and killer instinct that her moniker namesake, former heavyweight kingpin “Iron” Mike Tyson had during his prime. With her professional career only four years in the making Sandy has shown the potential of being a future star of the sport and while she recently suffered her first loss Sandy is not discouraged, she is going to use this as a learning experience and make the necessary improvements and take that next step towards becoming champion.
Saddo Boxing had the chance to interview Sandy before her upcoming bout next month in Ontario, Canada and you can read it here exclusively.
Saddo Boxing: How are you?
Sandy Tsagouris: I’m good, I’m good.
SB: How did you get your start in boxing?
ST: Actually it’s funny I was in ninth grade and we were in a gym class. This boxing club came in and they thought I was in a martial arts class, they said I had a great right hand. I figured I might as well try this since I had tried every other sport. More...
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By Jane Warburton May 21st, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Fighting as the co-feature this Saturday on the Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and Juan Lazcano “Homecoming” card is a rematch between IBF Light Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi and former title holder Lovemore N’dou. Malignaggi outboxed N’dou over twelve rounds last year claiming the title by scores of 120-106 twice and 118-118.
Curtis McCormick of SaddoBoxing spoke with Paulie Malignaggi today at the Village Hotel, Ashton-under-Lyne. Wearing a Manu shirt, skater gloves and a beanie hat that revealed long hair-braids - I admit Paulie Malignaggi wasn't quite what I had expected!
But he chatted in a really pleasant manner to Curtis and spoke of his delight in being a part of 'this big event'. More...
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By Jane Warburton May 21st, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
In a build up to Saturday’s “Homecoming” featuring Ricky “Hitman” Hatton against Juan Lazcano, Frank Maloney hosted a meeting with the press to speak with Lazcano at the Smart ‘Village Hotel’, Ashton Moss, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Manchester.
Having arrived into Manchester over the weekend, the Mexican (residing in California) looked to have ‘settled in’ as he chatted to the media in attendance. Relaxed and smiling, Lazcano came across as a very friendly and likeable guy.
“I have a great relationship with God,” Lazcano said thoughtfully and talked of his delight that this year his birthday fell on Easter. He feels ‘blessed for his opportunities in life’ and said he felt at peace. “I’ve already been a dead-man walking” he admits, “The Lord answered my prayers and now I’m pretty alive! I’m so humbled and so thankful. The best of Juan Lazcano will come out … whoever steps in the ring with me from now on.” More...
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By Jane Warburton May 16th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Saddoboxing.com was fortunate to be sat with Ricky Hatton yesterday at the Phoenix Gym in Denton, Manchester, England as the IBO/Ring Magazine Light Welter Champion's showdown with Juan Lazcano is just a week away at City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
Sitting on the edge of the ring canvas with a mug of tea, the Hitman talked about the time he was at Old Trafford as a young man. “I remember going to Old Trafford to watch Benn-Eubank and thinking ‘I wish this would be me one day," he recalled. "There were 45,000 people at that fight and there will be more than 55,000 at my next fight - I just can’t comprehend it," the likable Mancunian shakes his head.
When reminded that Oscar de La Hoya’s ‘Homecoming’ attracted 30,000 people, Hatton sighed, ”It makes me feel very very proud. Even pop concerts don’t sell out that quick [55,000 in less than 24 hours] - but I’ve never seen myself as a ‘Star’.”
Regarding what drives him now - Hatton quickly replied that of course motivation for him isn’t the money. “Financially, I’ve done quite well for myself," he admitted. More...
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By Daxx Kahn May 14th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
images © hotstuffhollie.com
 At one time, if you asked even the sternest boxing fan to name the women's champion of the world, odds are that you would have heard one name, Christy Martin, almost having you believe that there was only one division amongst the females. For years, "The Coal Miners Daughter", with her action packed bouts and hometown girl appeal, was the face of womenʼs boxing, hands down.
If you asked who was the most skilled fighter in women's boxing, the name Lucia Rijker would have been the first that came to the mind of most. Rijker, known as "The Dutch Destroyer", was as skilled in the ring as any man and her power was equally impressive.
Aside from the two names mentioned above, chances are that most would have drawn nothing but blanks when discussing the ladies of the ring.
It was not until Layla Ali, the daughter of "The Greatest", Muhammad Ali, entered the game that women's boxing seemed to skyrocket into the attention of the mainstream media. Of course, anything attached to the name "Ali" will garner attention, so as Layla began to win more fights, we began to see more focus towards female pugilists as a whole. Once the flood gates opened, so did the talent pool.
Names like Vonda Ward, Mary Jo Sanders, Layla McCarter and Holly Holm emerged and began to become mainstays on the sports news pages. As these fighters began to receive more exposure, people began to take more of an interest in women's boxing. More...
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By Curtis McCormick May 12th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Gianluca "Rio" Di Caro
Philadelphia, PA is well known for producing a long line of quality fighters in many weight classes. Even at age 43, Bernard Hopkins remains the flag bearer of the legendary Philadelphia fighter in the sport today but there is a younger cast of boxers beginning to surge forth that will shortly begin to replace the old guard.
Super middleweight Gee Cullmer is one of those hopefuls and since turning pro in December, 2000, the 32 year old has racked up a promising 14-1-1NC (3) record including 10 straight bouts without a loss since dropping a four rounder to Dorian Beaupierre in 2003.
SaddoBoxing was fortunate enough to catchup with with Gee soon after he posted a hard fought majority decision over Mustapha Johnson at Philadelphia's famed Legendary Blue Horizon last month and you won't want to miss what this talented and thoughtful fighter had to say about his career and bright future. More...
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By Jane Warburton May 9th, 2008 All Boxing Interviews
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
SaddoBoxing Exclusive Interview With Gomez Trainer Bobby Rimmer
This week it was announced that Michael Gomez will face Amir Khan on June 21 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. Gomez will be hoping for the best birthday present he could ask for - if he can successfully defeat the Bolton Boxer, as it is Gomez’s 31st birthday that same day.
Gomez was to face Peter McDonagh on May 23 at Robin Park, Wigan, but McDonagh pulled out of the contest.
Khan, who has split with trainer Oliver Harrison and is now fighting under new trainer - Dean Powell, will be looking for his 18th professional win.
SaddoBoxing spoke to Bobby Rimmer this morning to find out how the ‘camp’ is feeling about the news.
“This is sure to be a ‘beltin’ fight!,” enthused Rimmer, “Michael gets ‘written off’ by everyone but he’ll be the best opponent Amir Khan’s ever fought and it couldn’t come at a better time. More...
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