07.05.04 – By Ike Enwereuzor – www.Jacboxing.com – The newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion the relentless “Black Rocky” Lamon Brewster with a profeesional record of (30-2) 27KO’s carries a rare combination of power plus great boxing skills.
Brewster started his professional boxing career in 1996 defeating his first opponent Moses Harris with a first round knockout. He suffered his first loss June 2000 to Clifford Etienne in Pittsburgh, PA. In his last fight April 10, Brewster scored a 5th round TKO over highly rated Wladmir Klitschko at mandalay Bay Casino, Las Vegas, NV to capture the vacant WBO heavyweight title.
This is what the WBO champ had to say….
Ike: How did you see the Byrd-Golota fight?
Brewster: Hey, my cousin Chris made the fight very close. I was very nervous because Golota fought a good fight. Chris can’t afford to let it be this close.
Ike: You’re now the WBO champ. What is next for you?
Brewster: They are talking about June/July. I want to fight Vitali Klitschko if the deal is right, but I don’t know what Don King has for me. I’m not afraid to fight Wladmir again as well if the deal is right. Vitali is the necessary fight. He may want to get revenge for his brother’s loss.
Ike: Michalczewski, has called you out. What’s your thought about fighting with him in future?
Brewster: I think Michalczewski is looking to be knocked out. I’d be more than happy to give him a chance to be knocked out. If they want, let’s make the fight.
Ike: Impression of Jameel McCline?
Brewster: I don’t think much of McCline. He’s just trying to bring his name in the picture. He was running from Wladmir, even though he was bigger than Wladmir. Jameel can’t fight for his size. He was scared to fight Wladmir, and was running all night. He let Wladmir control the whole fight. He’s not ready for this.
Ike: Thoughts of Klitschko-Sanders bout?
Brewster: Klitschko needs to bring it on, if they say he’s the best heavyweight. Chris Byrd beat him before, so how can he be rated the best heavyweight? We need to clear this up in the ring. I’m sorry fight fans had to to see that fight; Sanders wasn’t in shape and never did much to force the action. It’s sad they vote Klitschko as the best heavyweight just because he beat Sanders. What about myself or Byrd that beat him years ago? He (Vitali) has a lot to prove before true Fight fans can consider him they best. He has to beat me first. Vitali if you consider yourself the best heavyweight champion then lets get it on first before they can crown you king! You need to maybe get a revenge for your younger brother Wladimir again.
Ike: Describe your fight with Wladmir?
Brewster: I thought the referee would take off a point after all the things he was doing. I had to fight him the way I did to win. The ref was picking him up from the floor and all that. I never seen that before. But still, because I knocked him out, he now wants to hurt the sports by saying that somebody gave him something in his food, and all this nonsense about Vasaline ETC. They can’t take losing. When Chris Byrd defeated Vatali in Germany, they gave all kinds of excuses, also. We don’t need people like the Klitschko’s trying to give the sports a bad name. They are trying to destroy boxing, which already has negative image. Vladimir’ talking about everyone putting stuff in his food, talking about Vasiline, the cut man. Just looking for an excuse. He didn’t complain when he was hitting me. I’m willing to give Klitschko rematch if deal is right. We shall be
meeting with my promoter, Don King, soon to see what is next.
Ike: Your thoughts of Vatali Klitschko?
Brewster: I respect him as a fighter. They rate Vitali as the best heavyweight in the world now. That’s just a bunch of hype. He needs to fight me and other champions before they can make that conclusion. My Cousin Chris Byrd beat him before, and took his WBO title away. Now, I beat his brother, so he needs to redeem the family name. Lets put both our titles on the line, and make it happen so we can determine who really is the best heavyweight in the world.
Ike: Have you thought of a showdown with John Ruiz down the line?
Brewster: We have thought about that fight and it is very possible, too. But we want Vitali Klitschko, first. Don King is the master player. He’s got the master play in all this.
Ike: Lets go back to your amateur career for a minute. When did you start boxing?
Brewster: I started Boxing at age 7. I was training at Riverside Boxing Gym, and also, Christal Morer in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Ike: What do you remember about your first fight as an amateur?
Brewster: I remember getting my butt whipped. I was 9, and the boy I fought was 13 years old, but I ended up winning everything in the State of Indiana, from silver medals to Golden Gloves.
Ike: What was it like growing up in Indiana?
Brewster: It was so beautiful growing in Indiana. I left Indiana in 1991. I then went to George Washington High School. I’m in Indiana now to receive the Key to the city. I didn’t realise the love they have in Indiana. They are more real than
people in California. There’s a lot of con artists in Los Angeles.
Ike: You’ll be receiving the Key to Indiana soon. What are you expecting at this event?
Brewster: I don’t know yet. Lets see what it will bring. I appreciate the State for giving me such an award. I would love to fight in Indiana one day, so lets see what the Governor and Mayor will do to help make this happen. I love this State!
Ike: What else is going on with you these days?
Brewster: I was at the Playboy Mansion a few days ago. I was in a talkshow with this lady, and I can’t remember her name at this minute, but I’ll tell you if I remember it.
Ike: What’s you impression of Mr. Don King?
Brewster: He’s the best promoter in the World! I love him. A lot of people say bad things about him. They don’t even know the man; I don’t understand why so many people could be jealous of the man’s success in the game. I can’t do anything but to praise Don King. He has helped me a lot, and made many boxers millionaires. He helped me to ensure I had the best sparring for my fight with Wladmir Klitschko. He gave only good advise, and just look at me now, I’m a world champion. We’re willing to give Vitali Klitschko an opportunity to redeem his brother’s loss and family name. Let’s make it happen so that we can know who is the real champion. My cousin IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd beat Vitali a few years ago, so how can they rank him best heavyweight in world?
Ike: What kind of response have you been receiving from fans since you beat Wladmir Klitschko?
Brewster: I have been receiving a lot of love and compliments. They are all telling me that I’m a true warrior. I’m in the process of getting back to training camp, so I can continue to impress and give fans what they want – action! I have to let them know, ‘I’M THE Man’in the heavyweight division. Thanks for all their support and prayers. Don’t blink!
Ike: You fought on an Ike Ibeabuchi undercard sometime ago. What do you think is going on with him now?
Brewster: I fought on the Ibeabuchi undercard in 1996, it was my pro debut fight. Ike Ibeabuchi was a great fighter. The Devil always tries to break a man when he tries to be something for himself. He had skills, power and even stamina. He could have been a champion.
Ike: Your impression of former world champion James “Lights out” Toney?
Brewster: I respect Toney. He taught me a lot of things in the game,too. He has excellent skills, but if we have to do it in the ring, it’s just business. I’ll be ready for him, but everything has to be right financially before that happens.