Kempo Chris
12-01-2003, 07:03 PM
Jermain Taylor from www.insidefighting.com
http://www.insidefighting.com/images/photos/boxing/j_taylor/taylor_garcia1.jpg
InsideFighting: How’s life, following your big win over Rogelio Martinez on the under card of Roy Jones vs. Antonio Tarver?
Jermain Taylor: Everything is great! I got a lot of good feedback on the fight. The commentators treated me well. The fight went well and I learned some things and we accomplished our goal…[we lose reception on his cell phone momentarily]
IF: Actually, you’re breaking up really badly so I missed most of that.
JT: Oh man, I’m sorry. I must be in a bad spot.
IF: No problem. The joys of modern technology and cell phones, right?
JT: [we both laugh] Yes sir!
IF: Think back to when you were fighting in the amateur ranks dreaming about being a pro one day. Are the realities of life as pro boxing everything you imagined?
JT: Oh man, there are some things that I feel like are way different. It’s much more than I ever dreamed it would be. It’s much better than I thought it would be. Man, it’s perfect. I love being a professional.
IF: Growing up, did you have any idols in the fight game? If so, who were they and why?
JT: I’m not going to say that I looked up to any fighters. But I tried to take a little bit from all of them. I love Oscar. I love all of them. I love when he fights, but I’m not going to say that I look up to any of them. But I just try to take something from each of them.
IF: You were obviously part of the much heralded 2000 Olympic class.
JT: Yes sir.
IF: A lot of your Olympic peers, like Panchito Bojado and Ricardo Williams, were pushed much faster up the ranks, but those guys have already suffered losses and now are trying to rebuild their careers. In light of that, Jermain, how do you feel your career has progressed so far – too fast, too slowly or just right?
JT: I feel like I’m right on schedule. I feel like I’m not going to fast or too slowly. You know, Bojado just made a mistake. Williams too. So I feel badly for those guys. It reminds me to keep doing my work.
IF: What’s next for Jermain Taylor – I hear you leave for training camp on Sunday?
JT: Yes, I am. I leave for camp on Sunday to get ready for my next fight. It’s going to be a six week camp. I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t remember the name of the guy I’m fighting, but I’ll be ready for him in six weeks. I’ll be ready. I just love fighting, baby. I love it. I can’t wait to get back to training.
IF: What’s a typical training camp day consist of?
JT: Every other day at 6 o’clock in the morning I meet my coach and do 6 miles. I don’t run 6 miles. I do sprints for 6 miles. After that, I go to the gym at about 11 o’clock and I do a little sparring and hit the bags. Then I do a maintenance program at 6 o’clock at night to kind of shake things out and get ready for the next day. And then it starts all over the next day. It’s the same thing every morning and I love it.
IF: You know, Jermain, when I watch you fight, I think your biggest strengths are your left jab, which is just awesome, and your quick reflexes, which really lets you see punches, slip them and then counter. What do you see as your biggest strengths as a fighter?
JT: I think it’s that jab. The jab really makes the fight. A jab can make the fight hard or the jab can make the fight easy. If a person has a jab he can really take care of business, you know? So I really think my biggest strength is my jab.
IF: There’s a lot of talk by your promoter, Lou DiBella, that your sights are on Bernard Hopkins sooner rather than later. Do you feel that you’re ready for Bernard Hopkins right now? If not, what steps still remain before you’re ready for such a challenge?
JT: I’m a fighter. I’m a fighter, man. I’m never going to say I’m not ready for anybody. I’ll fight anybody – whoever and whenever. It’s just not up to me though. That’s how everybody else got beat – they tried to leave it up to themselves. You know, boxing is an individual sport, so I have to rely on myself, but I count on my team too.
IF: Speaking of Bernard, who do you like in the Bernard Hopkins, William Joppy fight?
JT: I’m going to go with Bernard. Yes, I like Bernard in that fight.
IF: So do I. Jermain, I’m sure you’re aware that IBF #1 rated middleweight, Robert Allen, has been running his mouth trying to goad you into a fight by saying that he will “come to Little Rock and knock your ass out.” What are your thoughts on that situation?
JT: [Jermain takes a deep breath]. I saw Robert up at my last fight because he was on the undercard too. And he didn’t say anything. I looked him straight in his face and he didn’t say anything. He just turned his head. So I saw his heart right there. He’s not even worth my time. But I would fight him.
IF: Ok, let’s play name association for a minute. I’ll give you a fighter’s name and you just respond with the first thing that comes to your mind, okay?
JT: Okay, sure!
IF: Mike Tyson
JT: Mean.
IF: Jeff Lacy
JT: Left hook.
IF: Marvelous Marvin Hagler
JT: Throws a lot of punches.
IF: Oscar de la Hoya
JT: [laughs] Speed, pretty boy.
IF: Fernando Vargas
JT: Nuts [we both laugh].
IF: Okay, last couple of questions Jermain. First, what are your goals for 2004 since it’s right around the corner?
JT: To become the world champion. To be number one! And that’s where I’m going to be. Put that on your paper right now. I’m going to be number one!
IF: Last one. Is there anything else that you want to say to your fans out there? Anything that we haven’t covered that you want to get off your chest or, since it’s Thanksgiving time, anything that you’re thankful for that you want to share with your fans?
JT: Yes, I want to say that I’m thankful for all my fans and thank you for supporting me. To those who don’t support me, I’m thankful to you to because you still put my name in your mouth. [we both laugh] You know, I’m thankful for so much. And to my fans, I want to say that love you guys and I promise to always give you 110% when I step into the ring. You will never catch me out of shape. I will fight every fight like it’s a world title fight and I will win a world title. So I thank them for supporting me.
IF: Jermain, I want to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Thank you for your time and stay healthy, champ.
JT: Thank you. I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving too.
http://www.insidefighting.com/images/photos/boxing/j_taylor/taylor_garcia1.jpg
InsideFighting: How’s life, following your big win over Rogelio Martinez on the under card of Roy Jones vs. Antonio Tarver?
Jermain Taylor: Everything is great! I got a lot of good feedback on the fight. The commentators treated me well. The fight went well and I learned some things and we accomplished our goal…[we lose reception on his cell phone momentarily]
IF: Actually, you’re breaking up really badly so I missed most of that.
JT: Oh man, I’m sorry. I must be in a bad spot.
IF: No problem. The joys of modern technology and cell phones, right?
JT: [we both laugh] Yes sir!
IF: Think back to when you were fighting in the amateur ranks dreaming about being a pro one day. Are the realities of life as pro boxing everything you imagined?
JT: Oh man, there are some things that I feel like are way different. It’s much more than I ever dreamed it would be. It’s much better than I thought it would be. Man, it’s perfect. I love being a professional.
IF: Growing up, did you have any idols in the fight game? If so, who were they and why?
JT: I’m not going to say that I looked up to any fighters. But I tried to take a little bit from all of them. I love Oscar. I love all of them. I love when he fights, but I’m not going to say that I look up to any of them. But I just try to take something from each of them.
IF: You were obviously part of the much heralded 2000 Olympic class.
JT: Yes sir.
IF: A lot of your Olympic peers, like Panchito Bojado and Ricardo Williams, were pushed much faster up the ranks, but those guys have already suffered losses and now are trying to rebuild their careers. In light of that, Jermain, how do you feel your career has progressed so far – too fast, too slowly or just right?
JT: I feel like I’m right on schedule. I feel like I’m not going to fast or too slowly. You know, Bojado just made a mistake. Williams too. So I feel badly for those guys. It reminds me to keep doing my work.
IF: What’s next for Jermain Taylor – I hear you leave for training camp on Sunday?
JT: Yes, I am. I leave for camp on Sunday to get ready for my next fight. It’s going to be a six week camp. I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t remember the name of the guy I’m fighting, but I’ll be ready for him in six weeks. I’ll be ready. I just love fighting, baby. I love it. I can’t wait to get back to training.
IF: What’s a typical training camp day consist of?
JT: Every other day at 6 o’clock in the morning I meet my coach and do 6 miles. I don’t run 6 miles. I do sprints for 6 miles. After that, I go to the gym at about 11 o’clock and I do a little sparring and hit the bags. Then I do a maintenance program at 6 o’clock at night to kind of shake things out and get ready for the next day. And then it starts all over the next day. It’s the same thing every morning and I love it.
IF: You know, Jermain, when I watch you fight, I think your biggest strengths are your left jab, which is just awesome, and your quick reflexes, which really lets you see punches, slip them and then counter. What do you see as your biggest strengths as a fighter?
JT: I think it’s that jab. The jab really makes the fight. A jab can make the fight hard or the jab can make the fight easy. If a person has a jab he can really take care of business, you know? So I really think my biggest strength is my jab.
IF: There’s a lot of talk by your promoter, Lou DiBella, that your sights are on Bernard Hopkins sooner rather than later. Do you feel that you’re ready for Bernard Hopkins right now? If not, what steps still remain before you’re ready for such a challenge?
JT: I’m a fighter. I’m a fighter, man. I’m never going to say I’m not ready for anybody. I’ll fight anybody – whoever and whenever. It’s just not up to me though. That’s how everybody else got beat – they tried to leave it up to themselves. You know, boxing is an individual sport, so I have to rely on myself, but I count on my team too.
IF: Speaking of Bernard, who do you like in the Bernard Hopkins, William Joppy fight?
JT: I’m going to go with Bernard. Yes, I like Bernard in that fight.
IF: So do I. Jermain, I’m sure you’re aware that IBF #1 rated middleweight, Robert Allen, has been running his mouth trying to goad you into a fight by saying that he will “come to Little Rock and knock your ass out.” What are your thoughts on that situation?
JT: [Jermain takes a deep breath]. I saw Robert up at my last fight because he was on the undercard too. And he didn’t say anything. I looked him straight in his face and he didn’t say anything. He just turned his head. So I saw his heart right there. He’s not even worth my time. But I would fight him.
IF: Ok, let’s play name association for a minute. I’ll give you a fighter’s name and you just respond with the first thing that comes to your mind, okay?
JT: Okay, sure!
IF: Mike Tyson
JT: Mean.
IF: Jeff Lacy
JT: Left hook.
IF: Marvelous Marvin Hagler
JT: Throws a lot of punches.
IF: Oscar de la Hoya
JT: [laughs] Speed, pretty boy.
IF: Fernando Vargas
JT: Nuts [we both laugh].
IF: Okay, last couple of questions Jermain. First, what are your goals for 2004 since it’s right around the corner?
JT: To become the world champion. To be number one! And that’s where I’m going to be. Put that on your paper right now. I’m going to be number one!
IF: Last one. Is there anything else that you want to say to your fans out there? Anything that we haven’t covered that you want to get off your chest or, since it’s Thanksgiving time, anything that you’re thankful for that you want to share with your fans?
JT: Yes, I want to say that I’m thankful for all my fans and thank you for supporting me. To those who don’t support me, I’m thankful to you to because you still put my name in your mouth. [we both laugh] You know, I’m thankful for so much. And to my fans, I want to say that love you guys and I promise to always give you 110% when I step into the ring. You will never catch me out of shape. I will fight every fight like it’s a world title fight and I will win a world title. So I thank them for supporting me.
IF: Jermain, I want to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Thank you for your time and stay healthy, champ.
JT: Thank you. I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving too.