The most menacing man in British Boxing has eyes of a lamb. In striking contrast to his athletic frame and sinister back story, Treasure as he is known goes out of his way to project an image of warmth and comfort in person. Treasure talks politely, maintains eye contact and grins with an air of confidence. He does this, as he no longer as anything to prove on the streets and is focused on his career at hand. Here’s how our interview went..
With the British Title swapping hands twice in the matter of months.
British Champion Colin Lynes winning the European Title 6 weeks later and is now due to fight David Barnes then the winner of the English Title fight between Nigel Wright and Lenny Daws.
We talk to forgotten British Title Eliminator winner Ashley Theophane, who should have fought Barry Morrison instead of Colin Lynes.
With you winning a British Title Eliminator in January. Are you bitter that you have been pushed out of the British Title scene with no chance of a shot in the near future?
Not at all. The BBBC chose not to make me a mandatory so doing the eliminator was pretty pointless except the top boys know I’m a danger right now.
If you had a chance to fight anyone in Britain. Who would it be?
I don’t really care for British fighters, they bore me. Colin Lynes is European Champion & British Champion so I want him but I’m his worst nightmare. I been watching him since he had the IBO and I have always said he is nothing special and I know I could beat him.
No one else comes to mind, but Barry Morrison is a coward so I wanna bust him up for being a waste of time Champion. I also want Fat Boy Gavin Rees but my boy Dmitriy Salita will probably get there first.
I’ll put these guys in hospital, they don’t want none of this.
You seem to go to the States often, why is this?
Basically, watching the Americans is what influenced me. Tyson, Hagler, Leonard & Ali.
So going America has always been my goal. I have seen and spared with some top boxers so its very worthwhile. Also the training is very technical, which I like.
I heard you got into a tussle with World IBF Light-Welterweight Champion Paul Malignaggi. Is it true and what’s your side of the story?
Paulie’s a bitch. No doubt bout that.
Lennox asked me if I wanted to spar with this guy (Paulie).
I never knew who he was, why would I! So I went in there and do what I do. I was enjoying the sparring, it was some good boxing.
But he tried to rough me up and we don’t tolerate that. So I gave it back to him and he had a sissy fit with his girly voice and started spitting at me. I restrained him and his coach got in the ring talking about they from Harlem and they’ll go to the Pen. I’m out the ring by now thinking this guy is a Bitch.
I found it amusing cause what’s Harlem to me, I’m from London.
Next day, he came with 3 of his boys to the gym. That was funny, they don’t know I’m a serious guy. I’ve done my ting on the streets. But I’m retired. I’ma Pro Boxer now. I was there to train so its business to me.
I think he’s over rated, I busted him up in the sparring and I’ll bust him up in a fight one day. Believe Me. I don’t get Knocked out in sparring, he does!
You have been training camp with WBA NO.3 Dmitriy Salita 3 times in the last 12 months.
Why is this?
D’s my boy. We sparred last August in Gleasons. It was good sparring so he took me Poconos Mountains ( Jermaine Taylor is training there now for his defense against Kelly Pavlik).We had some good sessions up there. The morning runs up them hills where good as well.
D then flew me out to Florida, Miami this February. I had another good time there. We used Punch Fitness Boxing Gym, where Zab Judah and Miguel Cotto had done camps there.
This August we went Catskills. Training with Dmitriy is valuable experience, he helps me grow as a fighter and I hope I help him. He’s a future World Champ. I want him to bust up that midget Gavin Rees.
Back to Britain. Who is your favorite British Boxer Of All Time?
I got a few. I liked Nigel Benn, Kirkland Laing & Lloyd Honeygan growing up. They all fought and trained in the US and that’s what I am trying to do.
What coach do you most admire?
I liked George Benson, he was brilliant with Pernell Whitaker. I hate corners where so many people are giving instructions. 1 man should talk. PERIOD!
You haven’t fought since January 2007. Last year you had 7 fights this year only 1. Why is this and when next will you fight?
After my win against Bosworth. Big head Morrison ducked me. Colin Lynes doesn’t want any of this. I got a few calls for late notice fights but I walk around over 154lbs so late notice fights ain’t gonna happen. I love food way too much.
I was supposed to fight in Germany and that got blocked. Hopefully I fight November if I ain’t stopped from making a living again.
9.What do you do in your spare time?
I do boxing classes with expelled kids and do lectures about my life as I have a book coming out.
Titled; “THE HOOD RAISED ME”
I try show street kids and expelled kids, they can turn their life around. Just like me.
10. What supplements do you take to help with your boxing?
I use Wellman Vitamin Tablets and Wellman Fizz plus I use FORGOODNESS! Shakes to re-energize me after training or If I need an energy boost.
11. I see you have a few tattoos. How many do you have and do they have any meaning?
I have over 30 tattoos. My tats are part of my life. Be it, thoughts I go through, feelings, past , present, future.
My life has been about money, pain, family, torture, women, love, crime, loyalty. This is what makes me who I am today and my tats symbolize that.
I need my own Reality Show man. Watch this space.
They are all about my life.
The pain I feel every day with the loss of my cuz. Which burns me every day and helps me to focus and try make something of my life. He died young and for me to throw away my life being a bum, is something I can not do cause I represent him and he was doing his thing with HOODTWINZ so in my little way I wanna be a success because I feel he is achieving it with me as he believed in me from a young age when many people didn’t.
What does it take to be a boxer?
Sacrifice! Boxing is sometimes a lonely game. You have to be willing to make boxing your life. Only boxers will know what I am talking about.
It is very draining. You have to make weight as well as being in top condition.
Also Talent. Which I was born with. You need that hunger to put your body through the pain to get yourself in top shape.
You have to be mentally strong and focused.
Every day I work had to improve my game.
As you are in NY, is there any fighters there you would want to fight in 2008?
My team have tried in the past to make fights with Paul Malignaggi and Edgar Santana. But their Promoter Lou DiBella didn’t wanna know. He probably heard what I was doing in the NY gyms to some good fighters.
Do you have any sponsors. If so give them a shout out.
Rock-It Tattoos have been their from the start. Tony, the owner has faith in my ability and since 2002 he has backed me and helped with training costs.
Recently of 2007, Wellman Tablets and ForGoodness! Shakes have been aboard Team Theophane and supplied me with their Nutritional products.
I am NO.1 Contender in the United Kingdom and don’t you forget that.
Thank-you for the interview and I wanna thank my backers for their continued support.