By Charles C. White – Kindly taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer this authors questions, heavyweight fighter Chauncy Welliver explains the latest in his comeback.
1. First off, congratulations on all of your recent victories. You are on a winning streak against limited opposition right now. How did it feel to shake off that ring rust since the fight with Odlanier Solis?
It feels great. Though the guys I been in with haven’t presented much of a challenge, it’s good to get in front of a crowd again and shake off the rust. Working way back slowly, and will be ready for the best of this region after the new year..
2. It should also be noted that you have been consistently dropping weight since your comeback (as high as 282 lbs. for Odlanier Solis and down to 262 lbs in his last fight). What are you doing differently in training that has produced these positive results?
Keeping it basic. More training, less eating. I been running like crazy and doing the basic boxing workouts. My hip is good and elbows are 100% so taking advantage before an injury comes up again.
3. Your next fight is this coming Friday against the rugged journeyman Seiaute Mailata for the interim WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title. A decisive win here will put you in the top 15 of the world rankings. For those who haven’t seen Mailata fight, how would you describe him?
We fought before and it was scored a draw. I felt I won easy. I out-boxed him round after round. Sei is very strong. Typical Samoan. Very strong, rugged and has a good chin. His problem at the moment is me. He is in shape, but he was last time as well. Last time I wasn’t in shape, but feel great now. It’ll be a great fight and was voted 2007 NZ fight of the year the first fight.
4. Without revealing too much, do you have a game plan going into this fight?
I will say the game plan because he really can’t do much about it. Not to sound too cocky, but this fight is about me and I will be able to do what I want with the shape I’m in. The key will be just to stick to my game and not get drawn into his bs.
5. Who would you like to fight next with a win over Mailata?
I would like to fight the best of the South Pacific region. Maybe Colin Wilson? Bob Mirovic? Solomon Haumono? Hell, maybe even David Tua? I’d fight anybody in time. Throughout 2010 I will be stepping it up, but I’m ready for any of the bigger names if they call. I keep training as that phone can ring at any moment.
6. Going back in time a bit, you came up short against Odlanier Solis in a fight that many thought was stopped prematurely. Tell us about that fight and how it has changed your career. Did the loss have any positive affects on you, in that maybe it inspired you to train harder, or change certain aspects of your style to better yourself?
It inspired me to do what I’ve been told my whole career, “train all year as you never know when the phone will ring.” I always waited for the phone to ring to start training. I was lazy. I’m still lazy, but I train in my off lazy time! (laughs)
7. If given a rematch against Solis, what would you do differently this time to ensure a victory?
I expected many different things to come from him the first fight. I thought he’d get tired and he had fast hands but hit hard. All that was different. He was an ok puncher with average handspeed. I would just stand and trade it out this time. I thought movement would frustrate him and tire him. I’d sap his energy by going toe to toe with him.
8. Any closing thoughts for the fans?
I feel good. I have never trained this hard for this long. I am keeping active. Though I haven’t fought anybody great this past run, I fought actively. I want to keep active, and it looks like I might have a promoter soon to help me get the fights I need to move up in my career and get the proper training with a NZ great trainer, Ron Foley. I haven’t had a trainer in awhile, and me and Ron have been in talks, but more on that will be known soon.
For questions and comments, Charles White can be reached at cwhite1078@mysvc.skagit.edu