Exclusive Boxing Interview: Derric Rossy

Photos © Jim Everett/SaddoBoxing

Derric Rossy, 15-0 (9), will face “Fast” Eddie Chambers, 27-0 (15), for the vacant USBA Heavyweight Title tonight, Friday, February 9, 2007. The undefeated fighters will headline live on ESPN Friday Night Fights at Suffolk Community College in Selden , New York . In an exclusive interview with Saddoboxing, Rossy discussed his upcoming fight and how his career began with the late Al Gavin.

Saddoboxing: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Are you excited about your upcoming ESPN Friday Night Fights television debut?

Derric Rossy: “I have been excited for a month and a half since I knew it was coming. I am counting the hours now waiting to get going.”

SB: How did the fight come about?

DR: “It just happened. My promoter Sal Musumeci, Final Forum Boxing came to me with the proposition of fighting Eddie Chambers for the USBA Title. I told him right from the start let’s do this. It’s a great opportunity and now it’s coming to fruition.”

SB: Do you feel that Eddie Chambers is a step up in competition?

DR: “Definitely. He is 27-0 obviously he is doing something right. I respect him as a fighter, he’s got good skills. You have to fight the best to be the best. There is no easy road in boxing so you have got to go through it.”

SB: Chambers is your first challenger with not only an undefeated record but as a top 15 ranked IBF contender; does that change how you think about the fight?

DR: “Not at all, if you are fighting Joe Schmo or Wladimir Klitchsko it’s the same focus, it’s the same preparation. It’s as hard as you can work before you actually get to the fight. It really doesn’t deter me in anyway or change my focus. The guy has got two hands and he is going to try and lay them on you and you have to prevent him from doing that.”

SB: Have you thought about how this fight could affect your career?

DR: “It will definitely open doors if everything goes to plan and I am victorious. I am pretty sure it will open some doors and the flood gates will open up a little bit. But first I have to win.”

SB: Do you consider both scenarios of a win or a loss?

DR: “Of course loosing sucks but it’s a part of life and a part of boxing. That’s not the course I am looking at even though loosing is a possibility. I am really just thinking about what’s at hand, stepping in the ring and trying to do my best. As far as looking at the future with a win or loss I don’t look that far because I have to concentrate on right now.”

SB: It’s been said by other fighters that it’s a long road to success but one quick step to failure, but also that without risk there is no reward. Is this that type of career defining fight for you?

DR: “Yes, I think so. The national exposure, you get a good fighter across the ring from you to bring the best out of you, it’s a beneficial thing no matter how you put it. I get a chance to show the nation what kind of fighter I am and what kind of person I am. It is definitely defining as far as people knowing who I am.”

SB: This fight is just about taking place in your backyard at Suffolk Community College in Selden, NY, how does that feel to have it so close to home?

DR: “It’s just awesome. I haven’t fought too far away from home, I have been to Atlantic City , Mohegan Sun and Madison Square Garden but literally the fight is ten minutes away from my house. It’s definitely awesome; I know I am going to have great support. Granted the fans can’t fight for you but it’s a great thrill to have my friends and family so close and watching me do what I love to do.”

SB: How did you get your start in boxing?

DR: “It was kind of weird, it actually found me. I played football for Boston College where I was really trying to aim for an NFL career. The first couple tryouts that summer didn’t go well so I wanted to loose some weight and really lean out. My father used to be a boxer and he encouraged me to start boxing and thought it would cut me up and get me more endurance and lighten up.

“I started doing that and wanted to get into a gym to get in that atmosphere that makes you work harder. I ran into Sal Musumeci and Al Gavin and they asked me if I wanted to compete in the Golden Gloves. Al Gavin could have asked me anything and I would have never said no to him. I fell in love with boxing and got bit by the bug. Winning tends to fuel the fire and now I’m here, so it just kind of found me.”

SB: How much experience did you have in the amateurs?

DR: “I had ten fights. I went through the Golden Gloves, I did the New York Empire State Games and then I just had one more fight after that. So ten amateur fights and then I turned pro.”

SB: Why did you decide to become a professional fighter?

DR: “It was really Al (Gavin) passing away and I knew that his plan for me was after the Empire Games to try and turn me pro. So I just stuck to the plan. I didn’t want to get too stuck in the amateurs. I wasn’t a young guy as far as boxing wise so that played a little bit into it. I figured I would do my homework at the professional level and get a little on the job training.”

SB: You have built a record of 15-0 (9) in just over two years, fighting six times in 2006 and seven times in 2007 winning the NY State Heavyweight Championship against Gary Bell last February; did you expect to accomplish so much in such a short period of time?

DR: “No, I definitely did not. My goal is obviously to be the best at what I do no matter what but to come this far so fast is really a tribute to Bob Jackson and people I am surrounded with. They really just let me soak up all the knowledge of boxing. It really is a mind game so to come along the way I did is really a tribute to my trainer.”

SB: Just a few final questions on your upcoming bout with Eddie Chambers; how long have you been training for the fight and are you doing anything in particular to prepare?

DR: “I have been training about six weeks. I have a personal trainer, Matt Shackles that I have had for the past four fights. We have been on the same basic schedule throughout these fights. Pretty typical, the same procedures, if it’s not broken you don’t fix it.”

SB: Are you able to focus all your time towards training or do you have to split your time up with another job?

DR: “When I first started out I still had a job, trying to do both things. Luckily, I have been fortunate enough to concentrate on just boxing alone. Boxing is my job now.”

SB: Do you have any predictions for the fight?

DR: “No, I am not a predictor. Nothing is ever in stone but I really feel good for this fight and it’s definitely going to be a good one that’s for sure. We are both fighting for something that’s pretty special; you never can tell what’s going to happen in those fights. I know he’s not going to back down and I know I’m definitely not going to back down. So, no predictions.”

SB: Do you have any final comments that you would like to make?

DR: “It’s going to be a great fight. Don’t miss it. It’s really going to be something special. Be a part of it.”

SB: Thank you for your time and I wish you the best of luck on Friday and in your career.

DR: Thank you, thank you very much.