Boxing News Thread
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Witter vs. Bradley: Battle Across The Pond
By Brent Matteo Alderson
Timothy Bradley is scheduled to fight WBC 140-pound champ Junior Witter in England on a special edition of Shobox. Bradley had been scheduled to face Jose Luis Castillo in a title eliminator on the undercard of Maskaev-Peters in March, but Castillo couldn’t make weight and Bradley automatically became the WBC’s mandatory contender.
Bradley is eager to receive his first title opportunity and commented, “I’ve always wanted that green belt, that’s my dream, and it’s going to happen on May 10th I’ve been working hard, I can’t wait.”
Bradley is from the Coachella Valley area, the same place that produced Antonio and Julio Diaz, and he come up through the professional ranks under the promotional umbrella of Thompson Boxing with the majority of his fights either taking place at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California or at Thompson’s Corona site. In fact Bradley has never fought outside of the confines of California in compiling a record of 21-0 (11).
On May 10, Bradley just isn’t going to fight outside of California for the first time, he’s going to leave the continent and travel across the pond to face one of world’s best 140 pounders in Junior Witter, who compiled an impressive 36-1 (21) record during his eleven-year career and has beaten a number of note worthy opponents such as DeMarcus Corley and Vivian Harris.
Alex Camponovo, the matchmaker for Thompson boxing acknowledges the difficulty of dethroning a fighter of Witter’s caliber on foreign soil and noted “It’s obvious that Witter is an improved fighter and his style is very unique. He’s crafty, I guess you could say he’s like a polished Naseem Hamed. At the same time you could label him inconsistent. He’s ring savvy and experienced, but some times he doesn’t look that impressive and then he looked so destructive in knocking out Vivian Harris in his last fight.”
Camponovo declined to disclose the amount of Bradley’s purse or divulge the name of his sparring partners, but admitted that it’s always a bit challenging finding sparring partners that can emulate tricky southpaws. The match maker also noted that Bradley would arrive in Great Britain a week before the fig
By Brent Matteo Alderson
Timothy Bradley is scheduled to fight WBC 140-pound champ Junior Witter in England on a special edition of Shobox. Bradley had been scheduled to face Jose Luis Castillo in a title eliminator on the undercard of Maskaev-Peters in March, but Castillo couldn’t make weight and Bradley automatically became the WBC’s mandatory contender.
Bradley is eager to receive his first title opportunity and commented, “I’ve always wanted that green belt, that’s my dream, and it’s going to happen on May 10th I’ve been working hard, I can’t wait.”
Bradley is from the Coachella Valley area, the same place that produced Antonio and Julio Diaz, and he come up through the professional ranks under the promotional umbrella of Thompson Boxing with the majority of his fights either taking place at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California or at Thompson’s Corona site. In fact Bradley has never fought outside of the confines of California in compiling a record of 21-0 (11).
On May 10, Bradley just isn’t going to fight outside of California for the first time, he’s going to leave the continent and travel across the pond to face one of world’s best 140 pounders in Junior Witter, who compiled an impressive 36-1 (21) record during his eleven-year career and has beaten a number of note worthy opponents such as DeMarcus Corley and Vivian Harris.
Alex Camponovo, the matchmaker for Thompson boxing acknowledges the difficulty of dethroning a fighter of Witter’s caliber on foreign soil and noted “It’s obvious that Witter is an improved fighter and his style is very unique. He’s crafty, I guess you could say he’s like a polished Naseem Hamed. At the same time you could label him inconsistent. He’s ring savvy and experienced, but some times he doesn’t look that impressive and then he looked so destructive in knocking out Vivian Harris in his last fight.”
Camponovo declined to disclose the amount of Bradley’s purse or divulge the name of his sparring partners, but admitted that it’s always a bit challenging finding sparring partners that can emulate tricky southpaws. The match maker also noted that Bradley would arrive in Great Britain a week before the fig
Jermain Taylor Eyes Brian Vera Showdown
By Mark Vester
Former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-2, 17KOs) is ready to resume his career, with "Contender" star Brian Vera (16-1, 10KOs) as the most likely opponent of choice.
Promoter Lou DiBella has been negotiating with Don King to match Taylor in catch-weight bouts with either Felix Trinidad or Ricard Mayorga. Trinidad was last seen at 170-pounds, losing a decision to Roy Jones Jr in January. Mayorga was last seen in action last November, when he moved up to 166-pounds to beat Fernando Vargas. Neither fighter took the bait.
Trinidad recently turned down a possible fight with Taylor, while Mayorga is focused on moving back down to a more natural weight like 154 or 147. Taylor, who last fought against Kelly Pavlik at a catch-weight of 166, will campaign at the super middleweight limit of 168.
After two tough fights with Pavlik, DiBella says Taylor has earned the right to take an easier fight. Vera is said to be very interested in the opportunity. He recently upset previously undefeated middleweight prospect Andy Lee. Lee was regarded as one of the best prospects in the sport, and Vera, a huge underdog in the fight, came from behind to stop him in seven. Vera's sole loss was by second-round knockout to Jaidon Codrington during the most recent Contender series
By Mark Vester
Former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-2, 17KOs) is ready to resume his career, with "Contender" star Brian Vera (16-1, 10KOs) as the most likely opponent of choice.
Promoter Lou DiBella has been negotiating with Don King to match Taylor in catch-weight bouts with either Felix Trinidad or Ricard Mayorga. Trinidad was last seen at 170-pounds, losing a decision to Roy Jones Jr in January. Mayorga was last seen in action last November, when he moved up to 166-pounds to beat Fernando Vargas. Neither fighter took the bait.
Trinidad recently turned down a possible fight with Taylor, while Mayorga is focused on moving back down to a more natural weight like 154 or 147. Taylor, who last fought against Kelly Pavlik at a catch-weight of 166, will campaign at the super middleweight limit of 168.
After two tough fights with Pavlik, DiBella says Taylor has earned the right to take an easier fight. Vera is said to be very interested in the opportunity. He recently upset previously undefeated middleweight prospect Andy Lee. Lee was regarded as one of the best prospects in the sport, and Vera, a huge underdog in the fight, came from behind to stop him in seven. Vera's sole loss was by second-round knockout to Jaidon Codrington during the most recent Contender series
Sam Peter: "Briggs is an F-Class Fighter"
By Ryan Songalia
WBC heavyweight titlist Samuel Peter says that he is not certain when he will make his first title defense. What he is certain of is that it will not involve Shannon Briggs.
"If he was the number one contender to fight me, I'd fight him," Peter, 30-1 (23 KO), told BoxingScene.com. "[Briggs] has to wait his turn. I fight good fighters. I don't fight class "F" fighters. I'm willing to fight anybody in the top ten. I'm not a guy who is ducking people."
In a recent interview with this site, Briggs called out Sam Peter, referring to the Nigerian-born 2000 Olympian as "Sam Cheater" and "Sam Pedialite". Briggs also said he would be willing to fight Peter in his home country.
Peter denied having any knowledge of a recent story that ran on FightNews in which Yoel Judah, who trains Briggs, claimed members of Peter's entourage "taunted" Judah and made disparaging remarks about Briggs.
"I don't know what they're talking about. I don't talk to people like that. I always be in my own way, doing my own thing."
Peter, who won his portion of the title with a sixth round TKO of Oleg Maskaev this past March, says he would like to make his first title defense "as soon as possible."
"I want to fight the best fighters, like the Klitschko fighters. Those are the warriors. I don't fight crap fighters. If [WBA heavyweight titlist Ruslan] Chagaev or Klitschko is ready, those are the good fighters. We can do this right now. I want to unify the IBF/WBA belts."
By Ryan Songalia
WBC heavyweight titlist Samuel Peter says that he is not certain when he will make his first title defense. What he is certain of is that it will not involve Shannon Briggs.
"If he was the number one contender to fight me, I'd fight him," Peter, 30-1 (23 KO), told BoxingScene.com. "[Briggs] has to wait his turn. I fight good fighters. I don't fight class "F" fighters. I'm willing to fight anybody in the top ten. I'm not a guy who is ducking people."
In a recent interview with this site, Briggs called out Sam Peter, referring to the Nigerian-born 2000 Olympian as "Sam Cheater" and "Sam Pedialite". Briggs also said he would be willing to fight Peter in his home country.
Peter denied having any knowledge of a recent story that ran on FightNews in which Yoel Judah, who trains Briggs, claimed members of Peter's entourage "taunted" Judah and made disparaging remarks about Briggs.
"I don't know what they're talking about. I don't talk to people like that. I always be in my own way, doing my own thing."
Peter, who won his portion of the title with a sixth round TKO of Oleg Maskaev this past March, says he would like to make his first title defense "as soon as possible."
"I want to fight the best fighters, like the Klitschko fighters. Those are the warriors. I don't fight crap fighters. If [WBA heavyweight titlist Ruslan] Chagaev or Klitschko is ready, those are the good fighters. We can do this right now. I want to unify the IBF/WBA belts."
Trinidad Sr: "This is Not The End of Tito"
By Mark Vester
In a recent interview with El Nuevo Dia, Felix Trinidad Sr, father/trainer/manager of Felix "Tito" Trinidad, said his son's inability to land rematches with Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya does not mean he will retire for a third time. Tito will take his time before making any kind of decision regarding a possible third retirement.
As we recently reported, Trinidad turned down a possible bout with former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. He said a bout with Taylor does not "motivate him" enough to continue his career in boxing.
Both De La Hoya and Hopkins have recently turned down possible rematches with Trinidad, but his father is not surprised. If another big name comes into the picture, Tito will continue to fight.
"It's nothing new because De Le Hoya has ruled out another fight since Tito won (in 1999). Hopkins has ruled against it too (since beating Tito in 2001)," Felix Sr said. "All of it is nothing new, but it doesn't mean the end of Tito's career."
Felix Sr said a few days ago that his son is not looking to become a contender again or work his way to a title shot, he only returned after a near three-year layoff to land "the big fights." He still thinks his son can land rematches with De La Hoya and Hopkins in the future. Many others doubt he will.
De La Hoya has promised to retire this year. He faces Steve Forbes on May 3 and then a rematch Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September. Should De La Hoya win both, a possible clash with Miguel Cotto could happen in December. He is open to fighting Trinidad, but not above 154-pounds. Since Trinidad, who last fought at 170, is unable to get down to 160, making the fight is impossible. Hopkins on the other hand has hinted at retirement as well. He said prior to the Joe Calzaghe bout that he would retire regardless of the outcome. He also said a rematch with Trinidad does not interest him.
"I told (promoter Don King) that a fight against De La Hoya could be at 165-pounds, or a fight with Hopkins at 170. We've seen both of them change their minds before," Felix Sr said. "As one radio station says over there, the news changes. Tito returned in January after three years to fight a legend, Roy Jones Jr. He needs the right fight to motivate him."
Trinidad previously retired in 2002, not long after his knockout loss to Hopkins and then retired for the second time in 2005 after he lost a twelve-round decision to Winky
By Mark Vester
In a recent interview with El Nuevo Dia, Felix Trinidad Sr, father/trainer/manager of Felix "Tito" Trinidad, said his son's inability to land rematches with Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya does not mean he will retire for a third time. Tito will take his time before making any kind of decision regarding a possible third retirement.
As we recently reported, Trinidad turned down a possible bout with former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. He said a bout with Taylor does not "motivate him" enough to continue his career in boxing.
Both De La Hoya and Hopkins have recently turned down possible rematches with Trinidad, but his father is not surprised. If another big name comes into the picture, Tito will continue to fight.
"It's nothing new because De Le Hoya has ruled out another fight since Tito won (in 1999). Hopkins has ruled against it too (since beating Tito in 2001)," Felix Sr said. "All of it is nothing new, but it doesn't mean the end of Tito's career."
Felix Sr said a few days ago that his son is not looking to become a contender again or work his way to a title shot, he only returned after a near three-year layoff to land "the big fights." He still thinks his son can land rematches with De La Hoya and Hopkins in the future. Many others doubt he will.
De La Hoya has promised to retire this year. He faces Steve Forbes on May 3 and then a rematch Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September. Should De La Hoya win both, a possible clash with Miguel Cotto could happen in December. He is open to fighting Trinidad, but not above 154-pounds. Since Trinidad, who last fought at 170, is unable to get down to 160, making the fight is impossible. Hopkins on the other hand has hinted at retirement as well. He said prior to the Joe Calzaghe bout that he would retire regardless of the outcome. He also said a rematch with Trinidad does not interest him.
"I told (promoter Don King) that a fight against De La Hoya could be at 165-pounds, or a fight with Hopkins at 170. We've seen both of them change their minds before," Felix Sr said. "As one radio station says over there, the news changes. Tito returned in January after three years to fight a legend, Roy Jones Jr. He needs the right fight to motivate him."
Trinidad previously retired in 2002, not long after his knockout loss to Hopkins and then retired for the second time in 2005 after he lost a twelve-round decision to Winky
Trinidad Makes Decision, Turns Down Taylor
By Mark Vester
Felix "Tito" Trinidad has officially made a decision to turn down a potential fight with former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. Promoters Don King and Lou DiBella have been talking on and off for the last few weeks in an effort to make the fight. King met with Trinidad's father, Felix Trinidad Sr, several weeks ago in Puerto Rico and presented him with a deal for the fight. The Trinidad tried to land a rematch with Bernard Hopkins after he lost to Joe Calzaghe last Saturday. Hopkins turned them down, so they decided to mull the possibility of meeting Taylor and promised the decision to come down by the end of the week.
Felix Sr sent a letter to King, stating that a fight with Taylor does give Tito enough motivation to return to the ring and train hard.
"At this time, Jermain Taylor does not represent an option that motivates Trinidad to continue in boxing," Felix Sr said to Primera Hora. "Tito needs to feel motivated at this time and Taylor does no give him that. The reason Tito returned to boxing was boxing King brought him Roy Jones Jr, a legend. That was motivation for Tito. We are not looking to restart his career, we are looking for the big fights. Because of the weight difference, we can't do a fight with (Kelly) Pavlik. Tito has no interest in fighting at 160-pounds."
There are still two people on Tito's radar, and the same two people he's been chasing for the last few years, Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya. Both fighters recently ruled out rematches with Trinidad. Hopkins is not interested and De La Hoya is not willing to fight him above 154-pounds (Trinidad says he can't even make 160).
"I know how Tito feels and I have no doubt that Puerto Rico will support a rematch with Hopkins. He needs fights that motivate him. Against Roy Jones, Tito was motivated to return to the gym. It wasn't easy since he was coming back from a near three-year layoff. At the same time, the money he was getting was adequate for someone like Tito. If Oscar De La Hoya is willing to move up to 165-pounds, I have no doubt that Tito would return. That is the type of fight that would motivate Tito," Felix Sr said
By Mark Vester
Felix "Tito" Trinidad has officially made a decision to turn down a potential fight with former middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. Promoters Don King and Lou DiBella have been talking on and off for the last few weeks in an effort to make the fight. King met with Trinidad's father, Felix Trinidad Sr, several weeks ago in Puerto Rico and presented him with a deal for the fight. The Trinidad tried to land a rematch with Bernard Hopkins after he lost to Joe Calzaghe last Saturday. Hopkins turned them down, so they decided to mull the possibility of meeting Taylor and promised the decision to come down by the end of the week.
Felix Sr sent a letter to King, stating that a fight with Taylor does give Tito enough motivation to return to the ring and train hard.
"At this time, Jermain Taylor does not represent an option that motivates Trinidad to continue in boxing," Felix Sr said to Primera Hora. "Tito needs to feel motivated at this time and Taylor does no give him that. The reason Tito returned to boxing was boxing King brought him Roy Jones Jr, a legend. That was motivation for Tito. We are not looking to restart his career, we are looking for the big fights. Because of the weight difference, we can't do a fight with (Kelly) Pavlik. Tito has no interest in fighting at 160-pounds."
There are still two people on Tito's radar, and the same two people he's been chasing for the last few years, Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya. Both fighters recently ruled out rematches with Trinidad. Hopkins is not interested and De La Hoya is not willing to fight him above 154-pounds (Trinidad says he can't even make 160).
"I know how Tito feels and I have no doubt that Puerto Rico will support a rematch with Hopkins. He needs fights that motivate him. Against Roy Jones, Tito was motivated to return to the gym. It wasn't easy since he was coming back from a near three-year layoff. At the same time, the money he was getting was adequate for someone like Tito. If Oscar De La Hoya is willing to move up to 165-pounds, I have no doubt that Tito would return. That is the type of fight that would motivate Tito," Felix Sr said
North American Boxing Council Sues Mark Cuban’s HDNet For Theft
ress Release - “HDNet Fights”, the unifying mixed martial arts organization televised on Mark Cuban’s HDNet cable channel, should cease operations immediately because it was born out of a breach of trust, misappropriation of trade secrets, and other harmful actions on the part of HDNet, the North American Boxing Council (NABC) said in a lawsuit filed March 17th in the Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The eight count suit seeks to restore the rights of the NABC to its proprietary business and marketing model for a unifying mixed martial arts organization, and to recover damages for the ongoing illegal torts committed by HDNet.
The complaint states the NABC’s confidential proposal for a unifying mixed martial arts organization was made to HDNet in January 2007. In response to the proposal, HDNet taped two NABC mixed martial arts TV events in Indianapolis in May 2007. HDNet began broadcasting the NABC mixed martial arts events in June 2007 and subsequently placed the events in regular rotation on the HDNet schedule. In August 2007, HDNet advised the NABC it had rejected the NABC’s proposal. However, that same month, HDNet secretly incorporated its own mixed martial arts organization, “HDNet Fights Inc”. HDNet proceeded to introduce “HDNet Fights” to the public beginning with press statements in September 2007 as a unique unifying mixed martial arts organization falsely representing it as the original product of HDNet.
The suit seeks to recover damages as determined by a jury trial.
ress Release - “HDNet Fights”, the unifying mixed martial arts organization televised on Mark Cuban’s HDNet cable channel, should cease operations immediately because it was born out of a breach of trust, misappropriation of trade secrets, and other harmful actions on the part of HDNet, the North American Boxing Council (NABC) said in a lawsuit filed March 17th in the Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The eight count suit seeks to restore the rights of the NABC to its proprietary business and marketing model for a unifying mixed martial arts organization, and to recover damages for the ongoing illegal torts committed by HDNet.
The complaint states the NABC’s confidential proposal for a unifying mixed martial arts organization was made to HDNet in January 2007. In response to the proposal, HDNet taped two NABC mixed martial arts TV events in Indianapolis in May 2007. HDNet began broadcasting the NABC mixed martial arts events in June 2007 and subsequently placed the events in regular rotation on the HDNet schedule. In August 2007, HDNet advised the NABC it had rejected the NABC’s proposal. However, that same month, HDNet secretly incorporated its own mixed martial arts organization, “HDNet Fights Inc”. HDNet proceeded to introduce “HDNet Fights” to the public beginning with press statements in September 2007 as a unique unifying mixed martial arts organization falsely representing it as the original product of HDNet.
The suit seeks to recover damages as determined by a jury trial.
Pretty cool video right here:
Odlanier Solis vs David Haye
11th World Championships Belfast, Northern Ireland June 30th, 2001
Final Heavyweight: Odlanier Solis (Cuba) blue vs. David Haye (UK) red
Haye actually stunned Solis in the first round, got a standing 8 count. But Solis takes over from there on...
Odlanier Solis vs David Haye
11th World Championships Belfast, Northern Ireland June 30th, 2001
Final Heavyweight: Odlanier Solis (Cuba) blue vs. David Haye (UK) red
Haye actually stunned Solis in the first round, got a standing 8 count. But Solis takes over from there on...
LOL
Trinidad would get demolished by Taylor, IMO; I don't see the ''good'' that he looked vs Jones that some people on this board have seen. I saw a pathetic attempt at a comeback against a far superior fighter. I don't think Trinidad could EVER have beaten Jones, and he's wack as fuck for not even fighting Taylor. LOL Hopkins would put a hurting on him (at least on the scorecards, LOL) and it pains me to say that I think DLH would beat him up, too.
Trinidad would get demolished by Taylor, IMO; I don't see the ''good'' that he looked vs Jones that some people on this board have seen. I saw a pathetic attempt at a comeback against a far superior fighter. I don't think Trinidad could EVER have beaten Jones, and he's wack as fuck for not even fighting Taylor. LOL Hopkins would put a hurting on him (at least on the scorecards, LOL) and it pains me to say that I think DLH would beat him up, too.
Frank Warren Takes Aim at Hopkins, Froch
By Mark Vester
In his latest "Frankly Speaking" column, promoter Frank Warren took aim at Bernard Hopkins and unbeaten super middleweight Carl Froch over the recent comments they made about Joe Calzaghe.
Following Hopikins' split-decision loss to Calzaghe on April 19, the Philadelphia fighter told members of the media that he was robbed of a win. Warren gaves his thoughts on the fight, and the claims of Hopkins.
"The split decision in Calzaghe's favor has been described as controversial, but I had him winning by at least three clear rounds. Hopkins is a tough guy and a defensive master, but there was only one man trying to force the fight, and that was Calzaghe," Warren said. "He finished the fight with bruises on his head, not from the punches that Hopkins threw, but the head-butts aimed in his direction."
"Bernard constantly held in the clinches and hit Calzaghe low on the referee's blind side. And when Joe landed a single, borderline shot in the 10th, Hopkins went down as if he'd been shot, earning himself a five minute break. It was a critical moment because Calzaghe was beginning to get on top, and I thought he was going to stop Hopkins, who was blowing hard."
"And the future for Hopkins? A bad sport, he said afterwards that if Calzaghe had got through with as many punches as the judges thought, he should look like the Elephant Man. May be it's now time for him to pack his trunk. He described himself as a legend – but the lasting memory of him for me is a cheating, bitching, ungracious loser – it hardly puts him up there with the Alis and Leonards."
Froch, one of Calzaghe's UK rivals, was critical of Calzaghe's performance and made public comments about Hopkins deserving the victory.
"Super-middleweight wannabe Carl Froch says he thinks Hopkins beat Calzaghe - but he should concentrate on his own career, which hasn’t exactly progressing at a stellar pace," Warren said. "Froch has had just 22 fights in six years, and at 30, is five years older than when Calzaghe first became a world champion. He was supposed to fight Dennis Inkin in an eliminator next month but even that's been called off. After the Lord Mayor's show and all that."
By Mark Vester
In his latest "Frankly Speaking" column, promoter Frank Warren took aim at Bernard Hopkins and unbeaten super middleweight Carl Froch over the recent comments they made about Joe Calzaghe.
Following Hopikins' split-decision loss to Calzaghe on April 19, the Philadelphia fighter told members of the media that he was robbed of a win. Warren gaves his thoughts on the fight, and the claims of Hopkins.
"The split decision in Calzaghe's favor has been described as controversial, but I had him winning by at least three clear rounds. Hopkins is a tough guy and a defensive master, but there was only one man trying to force the fight, and that was Calzaghe," Warren said. "He finished the fight with bruises on his head, not from the punches that Hopkins threw, but the head-butts aimed in his direction."
"Bernard constantly held in the clinches and hit Calzaghe low on the referee's blind side. And when Joe landed a single, borderline shot in the 10th, Hopkins went down as if he'd been shot, earning himself a five minute break. It was a critical moment because Calzaghe was beginning to get on top, and I thought he was going to stop Hopkins, who was blowing hard."
"And the future for Hopkins? A bad sport, he said afterwards that if Calzaghe had got through with as many punches as the judges thought, he should look like the Elephant Man. May be it's now time for him to pack his trunk. He described himself as a legend – but the lasting memory of him for me is a cheating, bitching, ungracious loser – it hardly puts him up there with the Alis and Leonards."
Froch, one of Calzaghe's UK rivals, was critical of Calzaghe's performance and made public comments about Hopkins deserving the victory.
"Super-middleweight wannabe Carl Froch says he thinks Hopkins beat Calzaghe - but he should concentrate on his own career, which hasn’t exactly progressing at a stellar pace," Warren said. "Froch has had just 22 fights in six years, and at 30, is five years older than when Calzaghe first became a world champion. He was supposed to fight Dennis Inkin in an eliminator next month but even that's been called off. After the Lord Mayor's show and all that."
Winky Wright interview
Just as he grew in as a champion in the ring, he’s also expanded his horizons with his own record label, a promotions company and even some modeling gigs with the likes of Rocawear and 2-xist.
We spoke with Winky to get some of his training secrets for those five-hour-a-day workouts, and found out a little more about his life motivation.
AllHipHop.com: When you train, what kind of eating plan do you have to have to bulk up?
Winky Wright: I tried to bulk up by eating the right things, and put weight on by weight training and [making sure] we don't lose our speed - not just putting the weight on, being heavy and slow. That was hard to do that, especially in that short [period] of time. There's certain foods like baked chicken, vegetables, potatoes and stuff like that - stuff that'll stick to me and give me that kind of energy while I'm doing all of those exercises.
AllHipHop.com: Are there any particular foods you have to cut out of your diet?
Winky Wright: Well, when you're gaining weight you really don't have to cut too many foods out, because the bad foods are what's gonna make you gain weight. But you have to eat more of the good foods to gain weight in the right way. That's what we had to do, and like I said, it was tough eating so much.
Usually when I train I have to eat less and cut weight. That's what I'm used to and what I put my body towards, rigorous training and a lot of cardio, situps, ab works, stuff like that to get my body cut. But at that heavier weight, it's harder to get my body cut and keep that weight on.
AllHipHop.com: In any given day, how many hours do you work out?
Winky Wright: A basic day would be where I get up in the morning and train two hours as far as running, doing situps and jumping rope, a lot of cardio in the morning. If I'm training in the afternoon I'll go to the gym and do boxing, if I'm not boxing I'll hit the bags, jumping rope, sparring and stuff like that. After that later on I'll go to the weight gym and train and lift light weights to keep my strength up. At least five hours a day.
AllHipHop.com: Do you look at the body weight and height [of your competitor] and try to mold your workout to help you fight that person better?
Winky Wright: Exactly. Whatever the style of the fighter is that you're fighting and whatever way that he fights, you wanna go ahead and train in that way and manner. If I'm fighting a guy that likes to box outside stick and move and he's quick, in my training I'm gonna do quick movements - movements that I can work on and be quick with as far as a lot of running around and moving.
But as far as if I'm fighting a guy that slugs a lot that will try to go for the knockout punch, I'm gonna train more on the weights and get myself strong, because I know he's gonna be slugging and I might just have to catch him, so I'm gonna take my time and try to catch him.
AllHipHop.com: With the mentality you have to have as a boxer and how you've transitioned your career into music and television, do you read books or do meditations to keep [yourself] positive?
Winky Wright: No, I'm just around my family and kids. Being with them and watching the things that they like to do and see. You try to keep yourself as a good example. You wanna be able to have your kids tell their friends, "My dad is a good role model that's positive." I try to look at that kind of stuff and keep myself grounded in not doing anything dumb.
Just as he grew in as a champion in the ring, he’s also expanded his horizons with his own record label, a promotions company and even some modeling gigs with the likes of Rocawear and 2-xist.
We spoke with Winky to get some of his training secrets for those five-hour-a-day workouts, and found out a little more about his life motivation.
AllHipHop.com: When you train, what kind of eating plan do you have to have to bulk up?
Winky Wright: I tried to bulk up by eating the right things, and put weight on by weight training and [making sure] we don't lose our speed - not just putting the weight on, being heavy and slow. That was hard to do that, especially in that short [period] of time. There's certain foods like baked chicken, vegetables, potatoes and stuff like that - stuff that'll stick to me and give me that kind of energy while I'm doing all of those exercises.
AllHipHop.com: Are there any particular foods you have to cut out of your diet?
Winky Wright: Well, when you're gaining weight you really don't have to cut too many foods out, because the bad foods are what's gonna make you gain weight. But you have to eat more of the good foods to gain weight in the right way. That's what we had to do, and like I said, it was tough eating so much.
Usually when I train I have to eat less and cut weight. That's what I'm used to and what I put my body towards, rigorous training and a lot of cardio, situps, ab works, stuff like that to get my body cut. But at that heavier weight, it's harder to get my body cut and keep that weight on.
AllHipHop.com: In any given day, how many hours do you work out?
Winky Wright: A basic day would be where I get up in the morning and train two hours as far as running, doing situps and jumping rope, a lot of cardio in the morning. If I'm training in the afternoon I'll go to the gym and do boxing, if I'm not boxing I'll hit the bags, jumping rope, sparring and stuff like that. After that later on I'll go to the weight gym and train and lift light weights to keep my strength up. At least five hours a day.
AllHipHop.com: Do you look at the body weight and height [of your competitor] and try to mold your workout to help you fight that person better?
Winky Wright: Exactly. Whatever the style of the fighter is that you're fighting and whatever way that he fights, you wanna go ahead and train in that way and manner. If I'm fighting a guy that likes to box outside stick and move and he's quick, in my training I'm gonna do quick movements - movements that I can work on and be quick with as far as a lot of running around and moving.
But as far as if I'm fighting a guy that slugs a lot that will try to go for the knockout punch, I'm gonna train more on the weights and get myself strong, because I know he's gonna be slugging and I might just have to catch him, so I'm gonna take my time and try to catch him.
AllHipHop.com: With the mentality you have to have as a boxer and how you've transitioned your career into music and television, do you read books or do meditations to keep [yourself] positive?
Winky Wright: No, I'm just around my family and kids. Being with them and watching the things that they like to do and see. You try to keep yourself as a good example. You wanna be able to have your kids tell their friends, "My dad is a good role model that's positive." I try to look at that kind of stuff and keep myself grounded in not doing anything dumb.