Exclusive Boxing Interview: Jaime Clampitt

Photos © Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing

Jaime “Hurricane” Clampitt 16-4-1 (7) will face Mia “The Knockout” St. John 43-7-2 (18) for the IWBF World Lightweight Title on Friday, February 9, 2007. The fight billed as “Hearts of Fire” will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

SaddoBoxing had the chance to catch up with Jaime Clampitt at an open workout session which she hosted at her gym, the Rhode Island Boxing Club in Warwick, Rhode Island. Vinny Pazienza was on hand to offer his support for her while she worked the focus mitts with trainer Kurt Reader. Before her workout we discussed her upcoming bout with St. John, her hand injury and her plans for the future.

SaddoBoxing: Thank you for taking the time to talk about your upcoming fight. How does it feel to be fighting for the IWBF Lightweight Title once again?

Jaime Clampitt: “I lost the belt last year against Missy Fiorentino, and then she moved back down to 130 so she wasn’t fighting for the belt. It is very exciting. I think the most exciting part of this fight is that I get to fight Mia St. John.

“I have been watching her for years, following her career. I have a lot of respect for her as a fighter and I think she does a lot of wonderful things for the sport. Winning this fight is going to be really big for me.”

SB: It sounds like you have admired Mia St. John for some time; will it be difficult to fight someone that you admire or provide you with additional motivation?

JC: “Definitely motivation. I have been watching her for years. She has always been on top; she has been one of the best pound for pound females in boxing. I think beating her is really going to take my career to a new height.”

SB: In your last fight, you broke your hand in the third round. Will that injury be a factor on Friday?

JC: “My hand feels excellent. I had surgery in September because of the injury during the Missy Fiorentino fight. My trainer Kurt Reader wraps my hands every day and we also switched to Winning gloves, which are amazing; they are designed for people with hand injuries. It really feels good. I haven’t had any problems with it whatsoever.”

SB:Do you feel that it is too soon to be back in the ring after having surgery in September?

JC: “I took a little bit of time off after the surgery to let my hand heal. A lot of people are questioning me,thinking it is too soon but my hand feels good and I am ready to fight.”

SB: How much have you tested the hand, have you done a lot of heavy sparring?

JC: “Yes, I have done a lot of sparring for this fight just to shake off the rust. My hand feels unbelievable. I’ve caught a couple elbows here and there while I am sparring and I really haven’t had any problems with it.”

SB: You had injured your hand in a previous fight as well, have you had multiple surgeries on the hand?

JC: “I have actually had surgery on both hands. I injured my right hand against Eliza Olson and that’s the first time I broke it. The left hand, I had surgery last December, which was for a completely different thing. People often get confused, they think I have had a couple surgeries just on my right but I’ve had both hands done, but the injured hand has always been the right hand.”

SB: Is this the first time that you have headlined a fight?

JC: “Actually Missy (Fiorentino) and I headlined the fight last May, so this is the second headliner for me.”

SB: Is there any additional pressure in fighting a headliner with Mia St. John?

JC: “Not really. I know that Mia is ready for this fight, she takes me seriously, she’s gonna be in great shape. I think she is going to come out and try and box, she is going to be very surprised with what I am going to give to her.”

SB: How long have you been preparing for this fight?

JC: “We have been training for about six weeks for this fight.”

SB: Do you have any predictions for the fight?

JC: “Um, not really I kind of want to keep that to myself (laughing). I think that it’s going to be a very entertaining fight and the fans are gonna love it.”

SB: After this fight have you considered both alternatives as far as a victory or a loss?

JC: “I’m just gonna keep moving forward whatever happens in this fight. Obviously, I have it in my head I’m winning the fight and I’m not gonna give it up. I just want to keep moving forward, keep fighting title fights and keep fighting the best.”

SB: In regard to women’s boxing in general, do you feel it gets enough publicity?

JC: “I think it is definitely getting better and that’s due to the quality of the female fighters. 15 years ago a lot of women had never boxed or even been to a gym and now I own a gym and half the people in here are women. I think having people see that women can fight is definitely great for the sport and a fight like this is huge for the sport.”

SB: It sounds like your upcoming fight will show how good women’s boxing can be with two quality opponents. I wish you the best of luck.

JC: “Thank you.”