Calvin Brock: On Klitschko, Ibragivov and more

www.eastsideboxing.com

05.05.06 - By Dan Horgan: Over the past 5 months, Eastern-born heavyweights have taken over. Three of America's four title holders have lost their titles to Eastern-born heavyweights since December 17, and with every fight, it looks like America's chance of producing "the man" in the heavyweight division gets less and less likely. It seems as though all of America's heavyweights have flaws: Hasim Rahman is as inconsistent a fighter as you'll find at the world class level; James Toney can't fight a full twelve rounds effectively; and, Lamon Brewster often lets his heart get in the way of his fight plan and ends up in all out wars which he is prone to lose. The list goes on and on.

The number of established American heavyweights who have yet to lose is now down to two: Leo Nolan and Calvin Brock. While Nolan hasn't fought since April of 2005, Brock has been extremely active and continues to look impressive every time out. Already with credible wins over Jameel McCline, Terry Smith and Zuri Lawrence, Brock is looking to further his credentials and soon be recognized as "the man" in the heavyweight division, but more importantly, he is carrying a whole country on his shoulders as he tries to bring the heavyweight championship of the world back to America.. Before he challenges for any title however, he'll have to fight just one of the many tough Eastern-born European heavyweights in Timor Ibragimov. With the win, Brock would get serious consideration to fight any of the belt holders in the division and just may bring back the excitement in American heavyweight boxing.

Monday night, I spoke with Brock about his upcoming fight with Ibragimov and his career in general.

DH-Calvin, in the post fight interviews, Emmanuel Steward mentioned you as a possible opponent…has there been negotiations?

CB-Well, right now, I have my fight with Ibragimov that I am focusing on, but to answer your question, no, there have not been negotiations.

DH-Then why do you think he mentioned you as an opponent?

CB-I don't know why he mentioned my name.

DH-Would you be willing to go to Germany to fight him?

CB-Well, it would all come down to negotiations. The money would have to be right, I wouldn't fight him for cheap.

DH-Have you started your training yet for the Ibragimov fight?

CB-Yes, I have started training. I go into training camp Sunday.

DH-Will you be sparring with Brian Minto for this fight?

CB-No, not for this particular fight. I have different sparring partners for different fights, and Brian Minto's style does not match up with Ibragimov's.

DH-Will you be willing to reveal who your sparring partners are?

CB-No, I don't want the Ibragimov camp to know who I am sparring with.

DH-Ibragimov is a very green fighter. Some people would consider him a step down from the likes of Jameel McCline and Zuri Lawrence. How does this fight get you closer to a title shot?

CB-I look at it this way. This fight will get me exposure, and exposure plus fan-base equals demand for bigger fights.

DH-When Wladimir Klitschko is on, he almost looks unbeatable. A guy who hits as hard as Sam Peter can knock him down three times and still lose. How would you fight Klitschko?

CB-Wladimir is an excellent fighter. He's a gold medallist and has seen a lot of styles. He is not easy to beat. I won't be a standing target. I would have to hit and not get hit. I adjust to styles and I would have to box him in order to win.

DH-Obviously right now you are at least a top three American heavyweight, so how does it feel to carry a whole country on your back in trying to bring back the title to America?

CB-I like having all eyes on me. I know it's a lot of pressure, but I just take it like a day to day thing.

DH-Calvin, say you do capture a world title, how do you prove that you are undisputedly the champion of the world?

CB-Well, I could unify the titles and win the Ring Magazine title. That would let the whole world know I'm champ.

DH-Monte Barrett talked a lot of smack about you in a recent interview. What are your thoughts on him?

CB-He's not in the near future unless after the fight with Ibragimov. Is he even in the top ten anymore (this was not a rhetorical question)?

DH-In some sanctioning bodies he is, and others he isn't.

CB-Yea, I beat him in the amateurs. I like Monte and wish him well in his career.

DH-You did a great job on "Friday Night Fights" last week. Do you foresee yourself as a broadcaster after your boxing career?

CB-(laughs) Yeah, most definitely.

DH-Is there anything you would like to say in closing?

CB-No I think everything's been said.

DH-Good luck with your fight against Ibragimov.

CB-Thank you very much.

brock is a solid fighter, i wouldnt mind seeing him in with sam peter actually....

brock needs to step it up this year and get a shot....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by miles

brock is a solid fighter, i wouldnt mind seeing him in with sam peter actually....

brock needs to step it up this year and get a shot....

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He seems like a nice guy, But being nice don't win belts. I think Klitschko would destroy him.

brock has admitted he is scared of peter ;)

i dont think he will beat timor

i GUARENTEE he wouldnt beat sultan

I don't think Brock wants any of Peter.

Shit, I would rather fight Sam Peter than Wlad. Sam's punches are wide, his stamina sucks, he's a bully in the ring and yet he's able to be bullied

I haven't really seen too much of Sultan he's pretty new to the game with only 19 fights...same with Timor