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by James Slater – 39-year-old four-time heavyweight title challenger Jameel McCline (photo by D. M. Warr) is not done fighting yet. Though the 6’6″ warrior known as “Big Time” told us his April 2009 fight with the then unbeaten Chris Arreola would be his last, win lose, or draw, the 39-10-3(23) contender now has plans for a boxing tour of Europe. Hoping the tour of “small halls” will culminate with a shot at a world title, the always fan-friendly McCline’s ideal scenario would be a meeting with WBA heavyweight champ David Haye.
Very kindly taking the time to speak about his forthcoming tour and other things, the well-spoken Jameel had the following answers to my questions:
James Slater: It’s great to speak with you, Jameel. I read you are currently preparing for a boxing tour of Europe, is that correct?
Jameel McCline: Yes, that’s correct. We are definitely going to be doing a tour of Europe. I think I will be starting off in Hungary, maybe in Budapest, in February..
J.S: This is exciting news; do you have any idea who you will be fighting in Feb. and where else the tour will take you?
J.M: It is exciting. I had no plans to fight again, but I got a call from Robert (Osiobe?) in Denmark, and he offered me this deal and I thought, why not? I understand I will be fighting a gentleman called Zoltan Petranyi in Hungary. I don’t know too much about him.
J.S: Fighting a guy you know nothing about – isn’t that risky?
J.M: Well, how do you ever get to really know a guy until you fight him? (laughs). This is a risky sport, period. They’ll be sending me some tapes along though, and I’ll hopefully have a good look at Zoltan.
J.S: Will the tour take you to my home country, England?
J.M: Yes, the plan is definitely to come and fight in England. I’ve never been to England before – I’ve been to a number of European countries, but never England, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m used to fighting in the big arenas, say 30,000 capacity or so, but this [tour] will be the small arenas.
J.S: The last time we spoke (in fact the only time I’ve interviewed Jameel) you said the Chris Arreola fight of April 2009, would be your exit – win or lose.
J.M: (laughs) Yes, that was my plan, But we all know, things don’t always go according to plan in this game.
J.S: And what happened, you found it harder to walk way from boxing than you thought you would? You are still in love with boxing?
J.M: Yes. I had a good number of business deals going – I do international deals quite often – but I love to compete, I love to fight. I also love getting in shape for a fight and I love the feeling I have when I am in shape. The thing you need to understand is, I’m not fighting on because I have to; I’m fighting on because I WANT to. That’s a big difference. I’m not beat up like a lot of these guys. I still have a lot to offer. I can beat a lot of these guys. I mean, Ray Austin is currently rated number-one in the world. No disrespect to Ray Austin, but he used to be my sparring partner.
J.S: You would beat Ray Austin, wouldn’t you, Jameel?
J.M: Yes, I would. Look, I’m a championship fight fighter – you understand? I’m known for being one of the only guys to have ever fought for all four versions of the world title and not having won it. You name me another guy or two who have ever fought that many times for the title. I’ve come so close, especially against [Sam] Peter, who I had down three times, and The Giant (Valuev) who I was doing real well against until my knee blew. I still have a lot left to offer, and there is also a lot left to desire.
J.S: So is the plan not just to tour Europe, against guys, no disrespect, who you know you can beat – but for an ultimate shot at a world title?
J.M: Yes, that’s the plan. I’m not gonna just fight guys I know I can beat; the ultimate, ideal scenario is for me to either end up as heavyweight champion, or not, as the case may be. But I’d really like a fight with David Haye.
J.S: I was going to ask you about Haye – seeing as you plan to be boxing in England. I read that a Haye fight was a possibility for you as far back as before Haye was WBA champ. Firstly, do you want that fight and was it offered to you before? And secondly, is that a fight you think you can win now?
J.M: That is a fight that has interested me since before Haye was a world champion, but, no, I was never approached with that fight. Now, yes, I would love to fight Haye. You see, my desire is, and always has been, to fight the best – and Haye, with his title, is considered to be one of the best. I’m a competitor, and I always will be.
J.S: Do you rate Haye? I know a lot of U.S fans seem to think he is not the real deal. But what do you think?
J.M: He’s a champion right now, and anyone who is a champion is a bad ass in my opinion! But let’s see, after eight months or so of hard training, and after some fights in the smaller arenas, maybe I’ll land a fight with Haye. The thing is, all the money is in Europe now – there’s no money in the U.S like there was before. And, let’s face it, there are only really two names at heavyweight – Wladimir and Vitali [Klitschko]. We’re all back on the comeback trail, and why not? But the difference, between me and a lot of guys who are coming back is; I’m not hurting. I have a number of business practices going, and I’m not just fighting for money – I’m fighting because I’m a natural competitor. And if I can get myself as sharp as I was against Valuev, as I was against [Mike] Mollo when I fought him in China, I can do a lot of damage!
J.S: Have you been sparring for the tour?
J.M: I’ve not been doing anything apart from running; I’m an avid runner. I honestly didn’t plan on doing anything in boxing until I got the call from Denmark, and then I thought why not? The thing is, win, lose or draw, I always give the other guy in the ring a hard night – a night where he had better be prepared to be knocked around the ring some. I’m 40 this year, I know that – but we can make this [tour] happen. I had no amateur fights, I only started at age 25, and I’ve never been beaten up. Okay, Wladimir [Klitschko] and [John] Ruiz beat me up a little, but other than that I’m still fresh. I know I can still make a lot of noise.
J.S: You mentioned Ruiz, who is next for David Haye. How do you rate Ruiz’ chances against Haye?
J.M: Let me tell you. John Ruiz is one of the most underrated fighters there is – I’d say THE most underrated heavyweight of the last ten years. Let me tell you why: he is incredibly good at making you fight his fight, and then at winning it. Also, he’s so tough to stop – the David Tua KO was how long ago? sixteen years? That was The Night of The Young Heavyweights, and I fought on that card. I can’t call the Haye-Ruiz fight, but as I say, he [Ruiz] is so underrated.
J.S: Well, it’s been great speaking with you, Jameel. You sound in great shape and I look forward to your European tour – especially when you come to the U.K.
J.M: Okay, talk to you soon, my friend.