Exclusive Boxing Interview: Matt Remillard

“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 Youth Featherweight Champion. Arrogance is not one of them as itʼs breath of fresh air to see how grounded the 21 year old Remillard is.

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 that he walked into years ago, as a young, tough kid with a self admitted chip on his shoulder doing community service. Matt Remillardʼs 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?

Matt Remillard: “Iʼve always liked boxing. I remember watching fights with my father and grandfather. You know, the classic fights like Ali vs. Frazier. Iʼve 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 PAL; can you tell us about that?

MR: “I had a chip on my shoulder. Paul [Cichon] had me do stuff like clean the toilets, empty the spit buckets, wash the windows. Stuff like that. Iʼd 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 Iʼve 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 Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao because of their dedication to the sport. They donʼt 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 donʼt know. I donʼt try to fight like anyone. I fight like Matt Remillard. I take bits and pieces. I donʼt try to imitate anybody.”

SB: What was your amateur pedigree? How many fights did you have?

MR: “I was in roughly 140 fights and my record was something around 125-15.”

SB: Were there any highlights that jump out at you from the amateurs?

MR: “Well, I was two-time under 19 champion. I won the Ohio State Fair. Iʼve been in many National tournaments and won medals. Iʼve traveled to England and Korea with the USA World Team. I gained a lot of experience.”

SB: I see youʼre fighting on June 13 at the Connecticut Convention Center. Do you have an opponent named as of yet?

MR: “Not yet. We have a list thatʼs coming from the WBC in a week or so with possible opponents. Weʼll wait and see that and go from there.”

SB: Your last fight on the Andy Lee vs. Brian 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 after I had gotten the call on Wednesday.”

SB: You took the fight on one day’s 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. Iʼm a ten and twelve round guy. People think it should be easy. Like, just go in there and throw a hundred punches per round. Itʼs tough, me being a late starter and all.”

SB: Where are you currently training out of?

MR: “Manchester PAL”

SB: So youʼre still where you started with your original trainer, Paul Cichon?

MR: “Yeah, Iʼm still with Paul. Iʼll always be with Paul.”

SB: Are you looking at fighting anyone right now towards the top of the division?

MR: “Iʼm waiting to see what happens. Iʼm not the type of guy to call someone out ,but I wonʼt turn anyone down. There a guy whoʼs been mentioning my name, Dat Nguyen. Heʼs 11-1. Like I said, I wonʼt turn anyone down. My career is progressing well. Iʼm not rushing anything. Iʼm not going to rush a fight that could make more money down the line.”

SB: Youʼve 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. Iʼd like to get on ESPN more often. Maybe get on Showtime.”

SB: Any closing comments for your fans?

MR: “Yeah, I just want to thank my team, Team Remillard, and thank everyone supporting me. Look out June 13th. Iʼm going to put on a good show.”

SB: Thanks so much for speaking with us today. Your career is progressing nicely and we hope to see more from you in the future.

MR: “Thanks, anytime.”