By James Slater: Exciting Texan heavyweight, Travis “Freight Train” Walker takes another dangerous fight this coming Saturday, as he faces the once-beaten, never-stopped Alonzo Butler in Atlanta. Having come through a bad patch that saw him lose three in a row, 31-year-old Walker bounced back to out-point Darnell Wilson in February.
Now 35-6-1(28) and the recipient of at least two debatable calls against him, Walker has won fans over with his resiliency and refusal to quit. Still believing he can reach the very top, Travis has a new trainer, a new attitude and a will as strong as ever.
Kindly taking the time to speak with me today, Travis spoke about his upcoming fight and his career in general.
James Slater: It’s always great to be able to speak with you, Travis – thanks for your time. First of all, how has camp been for this Saturday’s fight with Alonzo Butler?
Travis Walker: Training has been great. I’m very prepared for this fight.
J.S: What do you know about “Big Zo?”
T.W: I’m quite familiar with him. He only has one clip on You-Tube; I’ve seen it. I know his style; he’s pretty much a brawler. I think he’ll leave himself open quite a bit in the fight. I’m definitely going to teach him a lesson as far as that goes.
J.S: You came through a bad patch, Travis – where you lost to Johnathon Banks, then were stopped controversially in that great war with Alex Leapi in Australia, and then lost a very close decision to Ruslan Chagaev – I had you winning that one for what it’s worth. Was your attitude in your last fight, with Darnell Wilson, one that said you HAD to win at all costs?
T.W: That’s my attitude with every fight now. I’ve got to win!
J.S: You boxed really well against “The Ding-a-Ling Man,” who is very dangerous himself. You usually go for the big KO. Have you gone back to your boxing these days?
T.W: Well, my new trainer, John Smith, he’s been teaching me how to box as well as I can. He’s been getting me to hit and not get hit, to use my range. I moved to Atlanta, and I got with John; he helped me out. I feel good with a new team around me.
J.S: As you know, Butler has never been stopped. Are you looking to make a statement in being the first to KO or stop him?
T.W: Yes, I want to go back to the KO’s I got in the past. As I say, he leaves himself open quite a lot, so that will give me chances. I have a game-plan. In fact, me and my trainer have a couple of game-plans in mind. I might give him hell in the 1st round and then box him. I’ll see come fight time.
J.S: What are you hoping a win will lead to for you?
T.W: Right now, I’m only taking one fight at a time.
J.S: Can I ask you; were you offered a spot on the recent Prizefighter: Heavyweights tourney in the U.K?
T.W: I was, at the beginning. But I looked at it and realised how unfairly I was treated when I fought in different countries in the past.
J.S: It’s true you’ve been robbed before. The fans admire you because you have shown real perseverance. The stoppage loss to Leapi, for example – you almost had him out and then he had you hurt, yet then the ref stopped it when you were not as hurt as he had been….
T.W: (jumping in) That fight, he was carried back to his corner, yet I was still up. That was very unfair, that stoppage that they laid on me.
J.S: You wanted a rematch?
T.W: Of course. I always want to redeem myself from any loss.
J.S: I guess they looked at you as too dangerous to do it again!
T.W: That’s right.
J.S: I know you said you are only looking at one fight at a time; but are there any names out there you would like to fight any time soon? A return with Chris Arreola would be a very interesting fight.
T.W: Like I said, any fight I lost, I’d like to try and redeem myself. I’m the type of guy who wants to avenge all my losses.
J.S: As you know, Travis, the heavyweight division is exciting right now – due to the two Klitschko fights coming up. In your opinion, who wins out of Haye Vs. Wladimir and Adamek Vs. Vitali?
T.W: With Haye, as soon as Wladimir catches him, he’ll stop Haye. I think Haye will just run, run, run and try and pot-shot. But Wladimir will definitely catch him. With Adamek, I think he’ll pretty much try the same thing, but I don’t think he’ll even be able to reach that high (laughs).
J.S: Do you wish it was you in there with those guys instead?
T.W: Oh, absolutely. I definitely do.
J.S: We wish you all the best for the fight on Saturday. Do you plan on keeping active this year? That’s another thing the fans like about you, Freight Train – win or lose, you always get back in the ring as soon as you can.
T.W: Yes, I will be active. My promoter has a couple of more fights planned for this year, so I’ll definitely be in the ring.
J.S: Thanks so much for talking to East Side Boxing. You have many fans who have followed your career and still believe in you.
T.W: Thank you. Call me again.