Exclusive Boxing Interview: Justin Manolikos

Hailing from Perth, Australia, Justin Manolikos manages world rated light heavyweight contender Danny Green and is also a partner with the fighter in Green Machine Promotions. The pair are putting on a show this Wednesday night at Challenge Stadium in Perth that sees Danny, 23-3 (21), defend his IBF Pan Pacific and PABA Light Heavyweight titles, as well as engage in an IBO Eliminator, against American Otis Griffin, 18-1-2 (7).

As a super middleweight, Green stopped former world champion Eric Lucas in 2003 and lost two highly controversial WBC title fights to Markus Beyer in Germany during 2003 and 2005. A little over a year ago, Green and current WBA titlist Anthony Mundine engaged in a non title bout in Sydney that was billed as the biggest fight in Australian history, with Green losing a 12 round points decision in front of over 30,000 people.

Jumping up to light heavy after the Mundine bout, the 34 year old Green has stopped two hardened domestic opponents and acquired regional championship belts as he nears ever closer to securing a world title fight at 175 lb.

SaddoBoxing was fortunate enough to speak with Manolikos and you won’t want to miss what Justin has to say about the past, present and future of Danny Green’s career.

SaddoBoxing: How has the build up to the Griffin fight gone as far as fan and media reaction in Australia?

Justin Manolikos: “The fight has been taken really well by the fans and the press. They know Otis is no pushover and are keen to see Danny achieve his goal of being world champion by the end of the year! Otis has also come across really well as someone that is respectful, is here to fight and obviously knows what is required to succeed at the elite level in sport. Danny is an icon in Australia and he is keen to reward the fans for the support he receives.”

SB: Who did Danny spar with and how has he been looking?

JM: “He has sparred numerous guys including Peter Kariuki and Jamie Withers amongst others and he has been looking cherry ripe! People forget him and his coach Ismael Salas have only had four fights together, so they are still learning and trying new things.”

SB: How do you see Griffin as an opponent for Danny?

JM: “It will be a great test. There is certainly easier opponents out there and I believe he will be a tougher test than our original opponent Manny Siaca. He has no great strengths but is a solid all round boxer that may just get through a couple of Danny’s risk area’s. A good work out for Danny will hold him good stead for a title bout.

SB: Danny’s losses have been against boxers; in your opinion does Griffin represent a similar threat?

JM: “Any fighter is dangerous. Danny has only lost three times and in my opinion only one was a loss. Beyer 1 [fight fight with Markus Beyer] was daylight robbery and Beyer 2, well had it been in Australia, I am pretty certain Danny would have got the decision. As mentioned, Griffin is a good all round fighter but Danny will expose any weaknesses he has.”

SB: Is this fight no longer an IBO eliminator?

JM: “It is an IBO world title eliminator. The issue is Tarver’s mandatory is not due for 12 months. Once we are through this fight we will formally negotiate with him. Whether it is in Australia or America, bring it on! Should Tarver fight against Danny as he did against Muriqi, he will be on a hiding to nothing!

SB: Danny is ranked very highly by the major organizations; have there been any talks with the camps of any champions at light heavy? Clinton Woods, Zsolt Erdei, Chad Dawson, Stipe Drews, Antonio Tarver…etc?

JM: “We will seriously consider fighting any of those guys. Other than Tarver, none have the drawing power of Danny Green and as long as they are reasonable in what they ask for financially, we will gladly bring them to Australia. If however they want Danny to travel, again they need to pay him what he is worth. We treat all our opponents with respect and if this is mutual, then I am sure a deal can be done with any of these guys!”

SB: Big domestic fights; A Mundine rematch or Paul Briggs clash?

JM: “I believe Mundine is out for some time so that is not on the radar at this stage. However, I know Danny craves revenge so as his manager, it is up to me to make that happen. Mundine showed in his last fight he is beatable. However, we travelled to his home turf last time, so if it is to happen it will be in Danny’s home town of Perth, the destination of this fight with Griffin.

“Briggs is a different story. Whilst they are both at light heavy, Briggs is also ranked highly in most divisions. As such, I think the best way this fight will happen is by either him or Danny winning a world title. For them just to fight does not achieve anything for either’s career. He [Briggs] is due to fight the highly regarded Hugo Garay in a WBA eliminator. All I can say to him is go and get the world title, then we will get it on.”

SB:”Anything important that we haven’t covered so far?

JM: “Think that covers it.”