By Charles C. White – Earlier today, heavyweight fighter Chauncy Welliver was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer this author’s questions. Here is what he had to say…
Hey Chauncy, how are you doing today bro? Chauncy Welliver: Going great. Just got done sparring and the camp I’m in is going great and is a great opportunity for me to get into shape.
Going back in time to your past, how did you first get your start in boxing? Chauncy Welliver: My brother Dewey was a Junior World Champion as an amateur, beat Chad Dawson among others, and Dewey was my hero so he is the reason I got stuck in this sport! Haha..
Toughest fight of your career?
Chauncy Welliver: The obvious answer would have to be Solis. He was super tough and not what everybody was telling me. I tried to box him, and that didn’t work out so well. Haha. It was also tough in a sense that it was first fight on that stage with TV cameras and a big crowd, not to mention he was a scary looking guy! Haha.
What are you most proud of in your career thus far?
Chauncy Welliver: Not a huge accomplishment to some fighters, but winning the WBC Youth World title would be a highpoint of my life, not just my boxing career. Went 12, was in good shape, and did it all with a broken hand.
What are your ultimate goals with regards to your boxing career?
Chauncy Welliver: Being Native and from the Northwest Joe Hipp was a hero of mine, and him fighting for the title was big, and I would like to at least match that.
Do you currently have any fights planned?
Chauncy Welliver: Plenty of fights on the horizon. I will be here in New Zealand until mid November, and any fights in the area where anybody calls for me to fight, I accept.
You are currently over in New Zealand sparring Shane Cameron for his highly anticipated fight against David Tua on October 3rd. How is this going? Is Cameron looking ready to rumble?
Chauncy Welliver: Shane’s looking great! This really is gonna be a good fight. I had to train so hard just to come to camp as I had to do so many squats to get as short as Tua. Shane looks good and ready and I’m pumped just to be able to be a part of it.
Knowing that you are friends with both Tua and Cameron, I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but do you have any predictions for how this fight might go?
Chauncy Welliver: Not to say this because I’m in his camp, but I gotta go with youth and activity for Shane. Dave’s an awesome fighter and can punch SUPER hard, but he just hasn’t been active enough, and through his latest comeback, he just hasn’t fought the guys Shane’s been in with as of late.
All reports have said that former 2 time heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman will also be on this card. Can you confirm this for the fans, or have any idea who he may be fighting?
Chauncy Welliver: I heard that and was offered the fight, but Hasim turned it down. He has turned down everybody they’ve offered. It sounds like he just wanted an easy win, but promoter wants him to fight a tough fighter, and he won’t have that.
In your eyes, what does this event, labeled the “Fight of the Century,” mean to New Zealand boxing, on both a local and world level?
Chauncy Welliver: It will mean big for both local and world boxing. Local as the people of New Zealand will get a treat of a lifetime in seeing a great fight between 2 of its favorite sons. It will be good on a world level because the winner will get a shot at the title and because they have awesome power, very well could win it.
How is your own training coming along, will you be ready to go when the time comes?
Chauncy Welliver: Training’s going good for me. No injuries as of now. Been running tons, and that’s not really my thing, so you know I’m training hard if I’m running.
If you had the chance, out of any heavyweight out there right now, who would you most like to fight?
Chauncy Welliver: Odlanier Solis. I feel I could give a better fight with a little more time. I thought the last fight was stopped way too soon and I feel I can give him a much tougher fight next time. He’s a tough guy and I would like to be better prepared next time. He’s the reason I’m training hard. It may take years, but I want to fight him again.
On the 26th of this month, the highly anticipated championship fight between young undefeated Cristobal Arreola and heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko kicks off. Any predictions for how this fight will pan out?
Chauncy Welliver: If Arreola was to show up in shape, he’d have a go of it, but I hear he’s not looking good with a few of his sparring partners.
What are your thoughts on the current state of today’s heavyweight division?
Chauncy Welliver: We’re dying out. If we get a Tyson type of fighter that don’t care and wants to bomb people out, we’ll be back, but I don’t see that happening for some time, if at all. The Klitschkos are the face of the division, and with them boring every fight, people will not be interested in our division.
It has been great speaking with you as always Chauncy. Any final words for the fans?
Chauncy Welliver: I have fans! Haha. Really though, people call me out of shape and fat, but they’re only half right. I’m fat, but I’m not out of shape. I can go rounds, and will build back up and I hope to get back to a big fight soon.
Charles C. White can be reached at cwhite1078@mysvc.skagit.edu for further questions and comments.