Boxing Interview: Calvin Brock

On November 19, 2005 Calvin Brock will be coming back to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina for what we all hope to be another step up the ladder in securing his shot at one of the four major heavyweight championship titles of the world. His opponent? David Bostice. Bostice brings to

the table a few things for Brock: hopefully another exciting fight for Brock, but a slightly easier assignment than the last outing; Brock’s chance to strap on the IBA Continental America Heavyweight belt.

Calvin, being the busy man that he is, was generous enough to lend me his fingers for a few questions regarding life, boxing and the sport from his perspective. Here’s what the proud, undefeated heavyweight contender had to say

MJ: Greetings, Calvin. How are you today? Appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. I’m sure that after this interview is all wrapped up, I’ll have thought up about a hundred more questions for you. But you’re a busy man, I am sure, so I’ll just keep it as simple as I can. Are you eager to get back in front of your hometown crowd of Charlotte, North Carolina for some action?

Calvin Brock: I’m doing great. I ‘m very eager and excited about winning my first title in my hometown on November 19th. Hopefully I’ll become a franchise in Charlotte, along with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Bobcats.

MJ: Nice. Calvin, I surely appreciate your time & everyone at Saddoboxing.com will be eager to hear some of the answers to these questions. So what do you expect of your upcoming fight against David Bostice? Do you know a lot about him or have you just viewed tapes? What’s the plan?

Calvin Brock: I know he’s 6’5, weighs around 250, has a record of 34 – 9, and is going to get beat on November 19th. From the tapes I’ve seen on him, he moves and uses his jab. He’s good, but not good enough to not get beat by me.

MJ: (laughs) Okay, so after you pass this test–I am banking on the fact that you will–you are going in against arguably on of the hardest punchers of the division, in David Tua. Besides the obvious “not getting hit” answer, do you see any real weaknesses in David Tua that you might capitalize on? I’m not asking for you to reveal your game plan or anything like that. I’m just curious if you got something in mind for “The Terminator”?

Calvin Brock: I really can’t give an answer at this moment. I haven’t seen any film on him since his return.

MJ: Alright then. Moving on, I for one was thrilled to death to be able to get the opportunity to see you live in the ring so close to my hometown, with me having a family of my own. It’s hard for me to get out much at all now. Speaking of life changes, how has your career in the fight game changed your everyday life now? And tell the truth, are you still a banker or are you now banking? I’m sure that you can’t even walk the streets of Charlotte now without getting stopped, right?

Calvin Brock: I’m banking. I resigned from the bank in October 2000, right after I returned from the Sydney Olympics. My exposure in Charlotte hasn’t been consistent since I’ve been pro. Since my October 5th press conference for my November 19th bout, people been recognizing me almost everywhere I go.

MJ: You had an impressive amateur career of, what, 105 bouts against a vast majority of the top notch fighters of today and you made it to the Olympics and then turned pro in 2001. I want you to think about this a minute and tell us all one thing: who were the toughest fighters, professional and amateur, that you ever laced up against?

Calvin Brock: I had 188 amateur bouts. The toughest opponents were Davaryll Williamson, Paolo Vidoz, Terry Smith, and Jameel McCline.

MJ: Nice! I wanted to commend you on your fight with McCline and your destruction of Clifford Etienne. Those were two big, big steps up for you and I was more than impressed to see you get up off of the mat and rock Jameel the way that you did. What was going through your head & what is your assessment of McCline after the fight?

Calvin Brock: After I got knocked down, I couldn’t believe I allowed myself to get caught like that. I then made sure I was alright. Then I determined that I was going to make McCline pay for putting me down.

MJ: And pay he did. Which brings me to this, a fight that I really want to see you in is against IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. Stylistically, I think that that would be one of the more interesting fights out there for you right now. Any interest in that fight for you, personally?

Calvin Brock: Not right now. I’m after bigger purse title holders.

MJ: Okay. Now, I know that this is really an awkward question to ask a professional fighter, but in all honesty every fighter has to see that other fighter out there that they either would never want to face or they have some reservations about stepping into the square circle against. Is there a fighter out there like that for Calvin Brock?

Calvin Brock: Samuel Peters. He and his coach, Pops Anderson, are dear friends of mine.

MJ: Over the last 2 years, your career has exploded! Lately, your name is everywhere. The media has tossed your name out there for the Klitschko’s, Toney, Peter, and just about everyone under the sun. So I want to do a little something here, if you will. I want to toss some names out to you and get some of your candid thoughts on these fighters as possible future opponents. Vitali Klitschko?

Calvin Brock: Real good. Probably will be the first title I win.

MJ: Okay, Sam Peter?

Calvin Brock: Very strong and powerful. Wish to never box him and hope the best for Samuel.

MJ: Agreed. Chris Byrd?

Calvin Brock: Great Champion, but bigger paydays for me against other title holders. Maybe down the road. I would like to see Chris draw a lot of money.

MJ: Wladimir Klitschko?

Calvin Brock: He’s good. A big match for me in future.

MJ: John Ruiz and David Tua?

Calvin Brock: Tua is possible opponent first of 2006. Ruiz is a possibility if he wins in Germany against Valuev. Tua and Ruiz are both tough.

MJ: James Lights Out Toney?

Calvin Brock: A master at the Sweet Science. Possible big money bout in future.

MJ: Lamon Brewster?

Calvin Brock: He’s a real force. Exciting to watch. Possible big money bout in future. I’m glad things are happening for him.

MJ: Now, on a different note what has been one of your favourite fights of the last 2 or 3 years to watch and do you see anyone coming up in the ranks that impresses you?

Calvin Brock: Gatti vs. Ward, Corrales vs. Castillo. No one coming up in the ranks right now impresses me.

MJ: How long has your father been your trainer & how does that relationship work after hours? Do you guy’s talk shop or just wait until the next day in the gym? Is it hard working that relationship both ways? That has to be special & difficult all at once.

Calvin Brock: My dad has been training me since I was 13 years old. When I was an amatuer, we never talked boxing out of the gym. Pro boxing is a business and my dad is my manager. We’re always talking boxing in a business perspective. No gym talk anymore, since I go away to train with Tom Yankello in Pittsburgh, PA. Boxing makes our relationship very close.

MJ: Last but not least, what would you like to tell your fans & critics out there?

Calvin Brock: Brock is the new star champion on the rise.

MJ: Calvin, it’s been an honor having you take the time out of your training for myself and the boy’s over at saddoboxing.com. I’m sure that they will be more than appreciative of your words. If there is anything else that you would like to add, please do. In closing, I’d like to say that our boxing needs more respectable fighters, such as yourself, in the game. And I mean that sincerely.

Calvin Brock: Thanks very much.

MJ: Take care. It’s been an honor trading words with you and best of luck on November the 19th against Bostice & then for the mouth watering January 26th 2006 Tua fight.

I’ll be there watching and cheering you on in November in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Everyone try to make it out for Calvin’s next fight at the Cricket Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina on November the 19th, 2005. If you live in the U.S. and are within a 2 or 3 hour drive like I am, I am sure that you will not be disappointed; Calvin’s always entertaining and hasn’t let anyone down yet. He’s always game.

For more info visit: www.calvinbrock.com