Exclusive Boxing Interview: Isaac Holder

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Isaac Holder of Heavy Hitters Boxing Gym in Bohemia, Long Island will make his professional debut on Friday night at the pro boxing show promoted by Frankie “G” Productions and Ring Promotions. The Florida native will face Rafael Jastrzebski, 0-4-1, in his four-round opener at the Huntington Hilton in Melville, Long Island .

SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to speak with Holder in an exclusive interview during one of his evening workout sessions at Heavy Hitters Boxing Gym.

SaddoBoxing: How did you get your start in boxing?

Isaac Holder: “I started when I was young around 11 years old. I kind of fell out for a while but now I am back. I moved to New York to start a new life, now I’m back in the gym ready to do it.”

SB: Where did you grow up and get your start in boxing?

IH: “In central Florida, close to Orlando. I started boxing at the University Boxing Club.”

SB: Did you have any amateur fights in Florida ?

IH: “Yes I had about 75 amateur fights including my junior experience when I was young.”

SB: How long have you been in New York ?

IH: “I have been in New York for about a year now but I have been out of the gym for about three years. I came back to the gym about six months ago.”

SB: What drove you to get back into the gym?

IH: “I came up here from Florida focused. In the back of my head my boxing career has always been there. When I moved to New York it gave me an opportunity. Everybody always asked me to get back in the gym and I was always told I was good. But it was me getting myself ready mentally, telling myself that I was ready. I didn’t want to do it just because everyone told me to do it.”

SB: What did you do in the time off that you had?

IH: “I worked… pretty much just took it easy (laughing). My last fight I fought in the open class and fought a guy that was 12 pounds heavier than me and I hurt one of the muscles in my arm which was the beginning of my time off.”

SB: When you came to New York did you have any amateur fights?

IH: “No, none at all.”

SB: Any reason you decided to go straight to professional fights instead of getting additional amateur fights?

IH: “The way I look at it was I pretty much had enough of the amateur world. I was about to fight a month ago to get in one more amateur fight but it fell through. The guy’s blood pressure was too high during the medical check in. I decided instead of trying to get another amateur fight that the next fight I was going to fight pro.”

SB: What weight class will you be competing in?

IH: “For this fight I will be fighting at 172 but I plan to get down to 165. I walk around at 172 so I think I can compete maybe at 168.”

SB: Do you know anything about your opponent that you will be facing?

IH: “All I know is that he has been in the ring a couple of times, I really don’t judge a man by their books. I know my skills and I know what I’m going in there to do.”

SB: What have you been doing to prepare yourself for the fight?

IH: “A lot of sprints, a lot of shadowboxing, a lot of bag and a lot of sparring. Besides a lot of sparring I have been concentrating on sprints; getting my wind up so if I get in a battle I can go and I can keep going.”

SB: What do you feel is your strongest point; are you more of a puncher or more of a boxer?

IH: “I’m more of a boxer; I like to stay on the outside more; more of a boxer. But if I have to get in there and bang it out with a guy I can do that too.”

SB: Tell me a little bit about the team you have put together; who is training you, do you have anyone managing you?

IH: “Right now, Kristian Vazquez owns the gym Heavy Hitters, and Frank Mullen is my main guy, he is the guy working my corner, he’s a good guy and looks out for me. He trains me very hard and Gerry Capobianco is my second. He looks from the outside and gives me pointers, but Frank is my main guy.”

SB: While you are training and preparing for this fight are you working full time and are you able to keep a balance between your job and training?

IH: “My boss is into the sport and supports me behind it. I work at a furniture store, I lift furniture all day long, and I get off at six and come straight to the gym and work my hardest. I’ll be tired a lot of days but I have it where I can push myself when I need to.”

SB: What are your plans after this fight? Are you going to try to stay active and get in additional fights this year?

IH: “Yes, that’s the plan. I want to try and fight three times this year. This is my first pro fight and everyone is a little shaken up but I am the one that has to go in the ring and I know that I’m ready. I’m ready mentally, physically and I’m all there. I want to get this first fight out of the way and then I just want them to start coming.”

SB: What is your ambition? What do you hope to achieve in your professional career?

IH: “I’m going to keep at it. If I can find someone to sponsor me or if I can get a promoter to take me under their wing and just focus on training and not have to go to the furniture store that would be great. The gym is my life, like I said I fell out for awhile and had some family problems. But I’m back and I’m back strong.”

SB: Just one last question, any predictions on the outcome of your pro debut?

IH: “I’m going to take it slow. I’m going to be patient, if the knock out comes it comes. If I can win just off my boxing skills I will take that too. Throw a lot of jabs, come in with the one-two and I’m going to try to stop him with a left body shot; that’s my prediction.”

SB: Good luck to you; I wish you the best of luck in your career.

IH: “Alright, thanks a lot.”