By James Slater – 29-year-old heavyweight talent Tor Hamer, 13-1(9), out of action since Dec. 2010 with an injury, makes his return in New York on March 7th, when he will face Haitian danger man Dieuly Aristilde. Hamer, promoted by Lou DiBella, faces a wild slugger who ruined the unbeaten career of one Elijah McCall; son of former champ Oliver..
Hamer was kind enough to speak to me about his return bout and other things earlier today:
James Slater: Thanks so much for your time, Tor. You’re definitely back then, March 7th in New York against Dieuly Aristilde?
Tor Hamer: Yeah, he’s signed; I’m ready to go so let’s fight!
J.S: I know Aristilde made a name for himself by KO’ing Elijah McCall back in 2010?
T.H: Yes, and added to that, my backers, they’ve seen him quite a lot; they’ve sized him up. He’s a good comeback fight for me. Obviously, this is no walk in the park of a fight. He’s unpredictable, he’s wild and he throws punches from odd angles. He comes to win and he has a winning record. The thing about him is, he seems to have a questionable chin; all his losses are by KO.
J.S: You’ve been out for over a year, will rust be a problem?
T.H: Of course rust will be a possible issue. I was out for over a year, mostly due to injury, the rest of the time due to internal politics and not being able to get a fight. Some mistakes could be made in this fight because of the time I’ve spent out, and he is not a guy to make mistakes against. As I said, he’s unpredictable and unorthodox. I’ll be very attentive to my game-plan in the fight. But he’s been out himself. He last fought in June of last year, so he won’t be the sharpest guy himself.
J.S: I was going to ask you what type of fight you expect, but obviously you can’t really say, as you’ve said how unpredictable he is!
T.H: Watch that McCall fight. The 3rd-round, they were swapping punches and swinging at each other (laughs). They were both tired. We’re not talking about world class here! I think the lack of amateur experience is the reason for that. I think he’ll [Aristilde] come out and try to intimidate me; I think he’ll try power shots early.
J.S: So you expect an exciting fight?
T.H: Actually no. I don’t think it will be an exciting fight at all. If it is, I’m not doing my job. I expect the critics to say afterwards that they want me to take the next step; that’s what I expect. But no, I don’t want any rock-‘em-sock-‘em type fight like the one Elijah had. I’ll be doing the wrong thing if that happens. People want to see how I look in this fight; how I look in my first comeback fight. Did I look strong? Did I spend the time out [of the ring] drinking on weight? It’s not just that I win, but how I win.
J.S: I read you were out mostly due to a busted finger?
T.H: Yes. I know it doesn’t sound impressive, to be out for just that in boxing, but it was a surgical procedure. I broke my right middle finger. It was broken in three places. I didn’t actually know it was broken, but it felt numb and I couldn’t use it in the Demetrice King fight (Tor’s last fight before the layoff, taking place in Dec. 2010). I couldn’t close my hand. The procedure was that the bone and the nerve have to heal at the same time, and that took four months – from February to June. Then all summer I was in rehab, going back to the gym as much as I could. That took me to September, and then there were no fights available. One guy pulled out.
J.S: A frustrating time for you?
T.H: Not actually. I have a strong family and they supported me. I also recently got my helicopter’s licence (laughs) – I’m okay! I have things going on but I’m not done with boxing yet. I’m having fun. As soon as I stop having fun, I’ll stop.
J.S: Can I ask you about your sole loss, to Kelvin Price back in 2010; I know it was a controversial split decision that could have gone either way ……….
T.H (jumping in) Watch the fight first, then we’ll talk about it! I’m not going to go on about it. It’s on You Tube. Watch it and then call me back and tell me if you think I lost.
J.S: Okay, I will.
T.H: I think it’s important for how you write the article. I mean, I lost but that’s boxing. But you watch and see how I lost. I’ve talked about the fight too much already.
J.S: Moving on. You’re still a young fighter at age 29. After this guy, who else would you like? The last time we talked, you said you’d like a fight with Tyson Fury. Still?
T.H: I don’t like to look past guys. Sure, there are things I’d like to do, but I’m just focused on this guy now. As for Tyson Fury: I do have problems with tall guys; I mean guys at 6’7” or so – the reach, the distance. It’s not just giving away the height and weight, but getting adequate sparring so as to make the adjustments is very hard. I can make the adjustments, but sparring partners above 6’5” are very few and far between. And I’m an eight-round fighter, so there is no money to fly guys in from overseas to work with me for two weeks. So I have to overcome the weight of around 50-pounds and the reach of around five inches. It’s a problem. The other weight divisions, there are around two or three pounds difference between them. But to answer your questions, is Tyson Fury on my radar? Yes.
J.S: Have you ever considered moving down to cruiserweight?
T.H: I’m too big! If I ever did, it would be only for a belt challenge; not to compete there. I mean, most fighters move UP, not down. Cruiserweights come up, not go down. If you’re a heavyweight, you’re a heavyweight. There’s no money down there either, not in this country.
J.S: It’s been great speaking with you, Tor. Do you want a KO on March 7th?
T.H: Well, he’s a credible opponent and he’s had a ton of time to train; he should be in great shape. People are talking like, if I don’t KO him then something’s wrong. But I never look for KO’s. I’ve had guys in the past that I was supposed to knock out. I won’t be upset if I don’t get a KO.
(check out Tor’s new site at: www.torhamer.com)