Boxing Interviews

The latest boxing interviews from boxers all over the world

Interview: Izu Ugonoh on the success of his unusual working arrangement and his career ahead

Interview: Izu Ugonoh on the success of his unusual working arrangement and his career ahead

It is rare to see 2 contenders fighting in the same division being coached by the same trainer at the same time. But that is exactly where unbeaten Polish heavyweight Izu Ugonoh finds himself ahead of his fight with Thomas Peato at Auckland’s Vodafone Arena on Thursday night.

In an old school tradition echoing some past greats like Cus D’Amato and Manny Steward, Coach Kevin Barry has both protégés Joseph Parker and Izu Ugonoh not just training with him but also living under his roof. ‘The only nightclub they see is the one in my living room’ quips Kevin of the situation.

It is borne from the idea that when it comes to the 5am training runs and the brutal gym sessions it is better working environment for Joseph and Izu to endure them together, working as a team. It also means an improved quality of sparring, Kevin also adding that ‘due to the very high respect they have for each other the sparring is always very intense and competitive.’

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Interview With Daily News Golden Gloves Director Brian Adams

New York Daily News Golden Gloves director Brian Adams is a busy man. The former four time Daily News Golden Gloves champion runs the biggest amateur boxing event in the world while also dueling as a TV broadcaster for the Broadway Boxing series run by promoter Lou DiBella. Adams is a tireless individual who travels all over the New York Tri-State area during the Golden Gloves tournament, that runs from January 28th to April 2nd. The likable and straight-forward Adams was the Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the amateur boxing scene in the early 90’s in New York City. I got a chance to catch up to the “Punching Poet” and ask him about his journey in boxing.

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Iran Barkley speaks about his epic fight with Roberto Duran, over 25-years on

Iran Barkley speaks about his epic fight with Roberto Duran, over 25-years on

On this day 26 years ago, inside a packed Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey, two bitter middleweight rivals went to war over 12 absolutely thrilling rounds.

Outside, snow covered the ground thanks to a blizzard, yet inside the arena the heat was scorching. WBC middleweight ruler Iran Barkley fought a thought to be faded legend in Roberto Duran and the fans in attendance witnessed both a modern day classic and a renaissance.

For all 12 ‘don’t-blink’ rounds, the 28-year-old and the 37-year-old went to war, with a number of unforgettable highlights and a ton of terrific action on display through the 36-minutes. In the end, old “Hands of Stone” prevailed via a somewhat controversial upset split decision, relieving “The Blade” of his green belt.

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Malik Scott: “Antonio Tarver is a Prostitute in the Heavyweight Division” [Explicit Language]

Malik Scott: “Antonio Tarver is a Prostitute in the Heavyweight Division” [Explicit Language]

It’s been a while Malik, how’s it going?

M.S. I’m good bro, just training and getting ready to fight asap.

In your last fight, you got a big win over former title challenger Alex Leapai. How does it feel to get back in the win column and what has this victory done for your career?

M.S. Yeah the Leapai fight was good especially since I defeated him in his own country, but it felt good man. On to the next.

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Satchell targeting World honours

Reigning British, Commonwealth and European flyweight champion Kevin Satchell has his eyes firmly fixed on World title glory in 2015.

Satchell 13-0 (2KO’s) returns to action on the undercard of Frank Warren’s ‘Mersey Boys’, which includes Paul Butler’s chance to become a two weight World champion when he faces current IBF super flyweight champion Zolani Tete.

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Ovill McKenzie: Substance over style

It’s a sad statement of fact that in boxing a controversial public persona – or an image – can propel a fighter to levels and fights where they don’t belong.

Some fighters are carefully piloted to the top of the mountain aboard a Sikorsky helicopter and others are given a pickaxe and a battered old rope at the bottom – enter Ovill McKenzie.

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Askin feeling great ahead of title shot

Askin feeling great ahead of title shot

Matty Askin, 17-2 (10KO’s), is in confident mood ahead of his British and Commonwealth cruiserweight title shot against Ovill McKenzie, 23-12 (12KO’s), on 14th March.

The 26-year-old will top the bill on a lively Frank Warren promoted show in Widnes, including former World champion Enzo Maccarinelli and the exciting Ryan Farrag among others.

Speaking to FKSports, Askin confirmed everything was on track ahead of the biggest fight of his career.

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Quigg: I’d beat Frampton anywhere!

Quigg: I’d beat Frampton anywhere!

Scott Quigg is set to return reiterating once more that he is willing to fight Carl Frampton anywhere to get the fight on everyone’s lips made.

The reigning WBA super-bantamweight champion recently required surgery on a hand injury sustained in the 9th round of his title defence against Hidenori Otake in November.

The procedure was a success and two weeks out from being allowed to uncork his right hand again, Quigg, 30-0-2 (22KO’s), has told FKSports he is gunning for IBF champion Frampton, 19-0 (13KO’s).

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Joseph Parker Q & A

Joseph Parker Q & A

WBA (10) and WBO (11) ranked heavyweight Joseph Parker (12-0-0) is training for his next fight with American heavyweight Jason Pettaway (17-1-0). Parker takes time out of his training schedule to talk to us about his career to date, while also offering his thoughts on joining the Wladimir Klitschko camp later this year as a sparring partner for the man regarded as the best heavyweight on the planet.

Joe what’s the plan for you in 2015?

Looking forward to getting back in the ring after a good year last year and fighting someone with a different style.

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Q & A: Kevin Barry

Q & A: Kevin Barry

KEVIN BARRY TALKS ABOUT TRAINING WORLD CLASS HEAVYWEIGHT JOSEPH PARKER: Kevin Barry is training rising heavyweight prospect Joseph Parker (12-0-0) at a privately owned boxing gym in the suburbs of Las Vegas. I spent the morning with Barry at this facility discussing how Parker is tracking for his next fight with Jason Pettaway, and his future plans for the young heavyweight.

Q; Explain the set-up of this training facility?

This is a privately owned gym facility that I use to train Joseph and another heavyweight Izu Ugonoh .It’s great having a facility where it’s only Joe and I. He’s also living with me and has become every bit a part of my family.

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