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Former street enforcer and street thug, Ronnie “The Rottweiler” Kerner, a music and movie producer turned smoker circuit king who compiled a 17-1 record with 17 knockouts, will soon be promoting his own shows under the banner Rottweiler Promotions Inc.
Aside from being a heavy handed fighter, Kerner earned himself a major name in the entertainment industry where he owned 5 Saints Inc, and partnered up in Junior Entertainment with Mark Smilow.
Kerner did business with the likes of Junior Mafia, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent. He now is looking forward to his first licensed fight which is tentatively scheduled for mid September after numerous frusturating delays.
Q: Ronnie, what’s going on? A lot of people have been asking about your first licensed fight since it was highly publicized. What exactly went down that caused it from already happening?
Ronnie Kerner: I had a few dates scheduled on Gotham Boxing cards but Gotham had delays and cards cancelled so that is what caused the issue. It has been very frusturating because I have been ready to fight all along.
Q: I know you got started in the boxing industry alongside big time fight promoter Cedric Kushner; how did you two make the connection with each other?
RK: We met through a fellow business associate.
Q: Rumor has it that you have a “dream team” preparing you for your fight. Who has been working with you leading up to your fight?
RK: Team Rottweiler currently features [former heavyweight title contender ]Gerry Cooney, [former middleweight champion] Vito Antuofermo, Eugene Ferrara, Paul Vario, and Sal “Sally Eggs”Attaguile, who has also worked with IBF Junior Welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. I was previously conditioned by Will Parker who worked with Mike Tyson.
Q: Where do you train and who have you been sparring with?
RK: I train at the Inwood Boxing Academy and I have been sparring with various pro and amateur heavyweights.
Q: Many fighters begin on the smoker circuit. I have been told it is a lot rougher than licensed boxing. Can you tell us a little about underground fighting?
RK: It is definitely rougher then licensed boxing. However, you must still have skills in the art of pugilism. I believe anyone who fights in the smoker circuit will be ready to fight licensed. Experience wise, it was incredible, nothing beats the excitement of a smoker fight!
Q: I know you are also a major advocate of animal rights. I recently saw your name in an Espn.com article about Gerald McClellan. It had been reported that he had a history of animal abuse. On the other hand, McClellan is severely injured as a result of his fight with Nigel Benn. As a fellow boxer, do you look upon McClellan’s alleged animal abuse any differently from someone who has been less impaired?
RK: No I don’t, he abused animals. As a fellow fighter, I can sympathize with what had happened to him [in the ring]. I feel bad for what happened to him & I wish him and his family my blessings, but he should not be honored since he harmed some of God’s creatures. Dog fighting is a sick and twisted sport. At least boxers want to fight! I can’t respect anyone who harms an animal unnecessarily.
Q: As we all await the final date of your fight to be released, what do you have to say to your fans in the mean time?
RK: I’d like to thank them for sticking by me even though there were many delays. I promise a great show and I hope they continue to support me and Team Rottweiler.
