By James Slater: “The Southern Disaster,” Dominick Guinn, by his own admission, is a fighter capable of blowing hot and cold on any given night. On a good day he is more than able to score electrifying knockouts over the likes of Michael Grant, while on a bad day he can be out boxed by a Tony Thompson. But nevertheless, with a win over the once highly touted Audley Harrison to his credit, along with the fact that he’s never even been down as a pro, much less stopped, Guinn could yet be a player on the heavyweight world scene. The next step in realising this goal takes place on May 4th, when he meets the unbeaten and highly regarded “Fast” Eddie chambers. Currently in training for this fight, Dominick very kindly gave this writer the following interview.
James Slater: Firstly, Dominick, how are preparations going for the Chambers fight on the 4th?
Dominick Guinn: Well. Training is going well. I’m rededicated now and I’m looking forward to keeping my hands up and putting on a good show..
J.S: What do you know about Chambers?
D.G: I know he has fast hands and he’s a pretty slick counter puncher. He looks good.
J.S: As you know, the fight is on a bill featuring a number of unbeaten heavyweights [Chris Arreola, Devin Vargas and Chambers] and is being held the night before the huge Mayweather- De La Hoya fight. Are you looking to make a statement?
D.G: Yes, I am. I want to let my hands do the talking and then I’ll give all the interviews there is. I’m looking forward to winning this fight and it taking me a step closer to winning the title.
J.S: How do you rate Chambers?
D.G: Oh, I give him an A+. He’s 28-0, so he’s beaten every guy he’s been in there with.
J.S: You’ve been in with better guys – people like James Toney, Audley Harrison and Sergei Liakhovich. Do you think your experience will tell the story?
D.G: I think so, yes. But then again, it’s just a matter of who wants it more. But I’m hungry again. I kind of lost my focus around the time of the Monte Barrett fight [ a split decision points loss over ten rounds in 2004] but right now I’m rededicated and refocused.
J.S: You are a fighter capable of blowing hot and cold. Why has that been , do you think?
D.G: Well, my mind was not at one hundred percent at the time of the Barrett fight. Things started to go down hill around that time. But I am one hundred percent now and I’m not focusing on things that happened in the past.
J.S: As you know, the heavyweight division is pretty much wide open. Who do you think is the best of the current champions?
D.G: [Wladimir] Klitschko. He’s the best because he’s the most consistent. He has size and speed and he lets you talk all you want but then he whups you. He takes care of business.
J.S: Would you like to fight him?
D.G: I would, yes. Hopefully when I win [on the 4th of May] that will take me to bigger and better things.
J.S: Would you be interested in a rematch with either Toney or Harrison?
D.G: No, not at all. The rematch I want is Tony Thompson [ Guinn’s last but two fight- a points loss over twelve rounds] I was over-trained for that fight. I had actually made space on my wall for the belt ( the fight was for the WBC Continental America’s title). I was running too much in training and I left it all in the gym. I know I can be at him and I’m looking forward to knocking him out in a second fight.
J.S: Have you any prediction for the Chambers fight?
D.G: I don’t really make predictions. I’m just ready to go ten hard rounds and put on a good show. I want to rise to the very top. It doesn’t really matter what a person says. It’s all up to Christ. I want to get to the top and when I do it will all be due to God.
J.S: Well, best of luck for the 4th. It would be great to see you put on a performance like the one you burst onto the scene with when you KO’d Michael Grant.
D.G: Well, I’m trying, that would be great, yes. But you can’t predict something like that.
J.S: I appreciate your time, Dominick, Bye, bye.
D.G: Okay, thank you.