Exclusive Boxing Interview: Leon Margules

Recently SaddoBoxing had a chance to interview Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warrior Boxing. Warrior Boxing is rapidly becoming a recognized force on the boxing landscape, promoting such notable fighters as Edison Miranda and Glen Johnson. Mr. Margules took time out of his busy schedule to share the plans and aspirations of Warrior Boxing this year.

SaddoBoxing: What is the latest and greatest with Warriors Boxing?

Leon Margules: “We are just making fights. (Chuckling) Kicking ass and taking names, how’s that? The latest and greatest is we are continuing to move forward and put our fighters in position to win world titles.”

SB: How long has Warrior Boxing been in existence?

LM: “We have been in existence since 2003. I didn’t take over until August of 2005.”

SB: For those who are unaware, give me the names of some of your marquee fighters.

LM: “Edison Miranda. Sultan Ibragimov…”

SB: [Cutting in] Regarding Ibragimov; he fights Shannon Briggs on June 2 in Moscow?

LM: “Maybe.”

SB: Is that a tentative site location?

LM: “June 2nd is the fight, it’s just a question of where it is at the moment.”

SB: Any plans on having the fight televised here in America?

LM: “Oh, it will be televised. We just don’t know if it will be on HBO or PPV, but it will be here in the United States. That is not an issue at the moment.”

SB: Okay, back to who else Warriors promotes?

LM: “As you know, we have Roman Greenberg, the undefeated Jewish heavyweight. He’s 25-0 and he’s moving forward. I’m kind of excited, he’s young though, he’s only 24. [also] O’Neil Bell, who just lost a very controversial decision.”

SB: Any plans for a rubbermatch with Mormeck?

LM: “I’m asking the WBC to order it. That’s a fight that needs to happen. We’ll see what happens.”

SB: Regarding Edison Miranda, the buzz around him is tremendous. How, as a promoter, do you handle a superstar that seemed to come out of relative obscurity?

LM: “As a promoter? It’s like a dream come true. Edison to me, in all the years I have been around boxing, has been the most enjoyable fighter I have ever worked with. He has got a great story. He has great work ethic. He’s a great kid. He really appreciates his success. He’s so appreciative. He’s arrogant, like a world champion should be. You know, like a great fighter should be about himself.”

SB: Like his press releases indicate?

LM: “That’s him man! That’s not me. He’s arrogant, but if you were to meet him after a fight, say ok, “I want to talk to you for a few minutes”, he would sit down with you and spend as much time with you as patiently and as articulately as he could. He’s got no family and looks at boxing as his family. And all of us as his family.”

SB: Sounds like a dream.

LM: “He’s going to win or lose on his own sword. He cannot make a bad fight.”

SB: Any other fighters of note that you want the public to take notice of?

LM: “Vadim Tokarov is fighting [Marco] Huck in Berlin for the IBF #1. I have Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, the IBF cruiserweight champion, fighting [Steve] Cunningham in the rematch May 26 in Poland. I’m promoting it, but King and I made a deal. Believe it or not.”

SB: How is that working out for you?

LM: “He can’t make the fight. I can make the fight in Poland and that is where the kid is popular. Glen Johnson is fighting an IBF eliminator against Montell Griffin at the Hard Rock on May 16 on ESPN.”

SB: Any chance on getting Johnson a shot at Chad Dawson?

LM: (Exasperated) “We’ve asked. Nobody wants to fight Glen Johnson unless they have to. They know they are going to have their hands full and there might be other guys they can fight for the same money that are easier.”

SB: How do you foresee the remainder of 2007 for Warrior Boxing?

LM: “Busy. The IBF has just ordered that two of my fighters fight each other for number one at 140. Randall Bailey and Juan Urango. I’m just moving guys in the right direction. I signed Raul Marquez and I think he has a lot more left than people think. He’s a great guy also.”

SB: Any other new signings you would like to announce?

LM: “I’m working on a few so I can’t say right now. Next week, I might have a few announcements. But no, I have not signed a new fighter in the last month or so. There are three of four that I am working on and I will probably have an announcement next week.”

SB How many fighters are currently in your promotional stable?

LM: “It’s about 20. I’m going to keep it under 25. Because Ricky Quiles, I told him to retire. I’m going to release him. Juan Vasquez, I’m going to release him. I don’t want to promote more than 25 fighters. I don’t want to promote fighters that I cannot make world champions and keep busy. I released Timor Ibragimov.”

SB: Is this easier to promote than a large stable?

LM: “20 is a good number. 25 is my limit, but you are not going to turn down guys but at the moment I don’t want more than that. But I will sign the right guy and make room for him.”

SB: Ultimately, what is the goal of warrior boxing?

LM: “The goal of Warriors Boxing is to promote as many world champions as we can and to make our fighters and the company as much money as we can. You really have four classes of fighters. You have the young fighters you are building. They are just starting out. Then, the middle guys who are 10, 12-0, that are kind of starting to come on and become 8 and 10 round fighters. Then you have the guys who are contenders, champions, or former champions coming back.”

SB: Thank you for your time.

LM: “No problem.”