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James Slater talks to Michigan?s 30-year-old light-middleweight contender Ronald Hearns, 21-0 (17)
Age started boxing: 24
First boxing memory: My dad didn?t want me to do it, but after I graduated college he told me if boxing was what I really wanted to do, I could. Before that I was shadowboxing in front of the mirror for six months.
Inspiration: To be my own man, to prove myself ? to not just be in my dad?s shadow.
Favourite all-time fighter: My dad, of course. But also Sugar Ray Robinson, Larry Holmes, Michael Nunn and Joe Louis.
Best fight seen: Of my dad?s, I?d say the first fight with Ray Leonard and the one with Juan Roldan. Other fighters, I?d say Gerald McClellan-Julian Jackson I ? that fight had a lot of hype and both threw a lot of bombs.
Pre-fight meal: Grilled chicken with vegetables.
What do you do to relax: Spend time with my family, my wife and my two daughters. Or go to church and give praise to who gave me what I have.
Pre-fight superstitions: None, really, I just follow my gameplan in each fight.
What training between fights: I?m always in the gym. They have to tell me to take time off! I play basketball just to keep active.
Typical breakfast: Oatmeal or eggs.
Toughest part of being a boxer: Dealing with being irritable with people when you have a fight coming up. I don?t want to talk to anyone, really, and that can be hard.
Last book read: It was a gospel book, called The Power Of A Praying Husband.
Favourite music: Gospel. But if I?m doing my running I?ll listen to Rocky music.
Favourite movie: I?d say Bloodsport with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
What Car do you drive: A Toyota Yaris.
Where do you train: Motown Boxing, Detroit.
Typical training routine: Up at 5.30am, run six miles, then rest, take a nap. In the gym at approx 10am, then spar ? about 100-120 rounds for a fight. Then I lift weights. When I spar, I spar with bigger guys. I tend to run guys my own size out of the ring.
Toughest man faced: Hector Hernandez, a Mexican fighter. All Mexicans are tough!
What supplements do you take: Just regular vitamins.
If you weren?t a boxer: I?d be in law enforcement. ive worked with juvenile delinquents for the past three years. i got my criminal justice degree.
Last place you went in holiday: Las Vegas.
Favourite football team: The Indianapolis Colts.
Best boxer in the sport today: Floyd Mayweather Junior. I think big money offers will make him come back. If not him, Manny Pacquiao.
Age started boxing: 24
First boxing memory: My dad didn?t want me to do it, but after I graduated college he told me if boxing was what I really wanted to do, I could. Before that I was shadowboxing in front of the mirror for six months.
Inspiration: To be my own man, to prove myself ? to not just be in my dad?s shadow.
Favourite all-time fighter: My dad, of course. But also Sugar Ray Robinson, Larry Holmes, Michael Nunn and Joe Louis.
Best fight seen: Of my dad?s, I?d say the first fight with Ray Leonard and the one with Juan Roldan. Other fighters, I?d say Gerald McClellan-Julian Jackson I ? that fight had a lot of hype and both threw a lot of bombs.
Pre-fight meal: Grilled chicken with vegetables.
What do you do to relax: Spend time with my family, my wife and my two daughters. Or go to church and give praise to who gave me what I have.
Pre-fight superstitions: None, really, I just follow my gameplan in each fight.
What training between fights: I?m always in the gym. They have to tell me to take time off! I play basketball just to keep active.
Typical breakfast: Oatmeal or eggs.
Toughest part of being a boxer: Dealing with being irritable with people when you have a fight coming up. I don?t want to talk to anyone, really, and that can be hard.
Last book read: It was a gospel book, called The Power Of A Praying Husband.
Favourite music: Gospel. But if I?m doing my running I?ll listen to Rocky music.
Favourite movie: I?d say Bloodsport with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
What Car do you drive: A Toyota Yaris.
Where do you train: Motown Boxing, Detroit.
Typical training routine: Up at 5.30am, run six miles, then rest, take a nap. In the gym at approx 10am, then spar ? about 100-120 rounds for a fight. Then I lift weights. When I spar, I spar with bigger guys. I tend to run guys my own size out of the ring.
Toughest man faced: Hector Hernandez, a Mexican fighter. All Mexicans are tough!
What supplements do you take: Just regular vitamins.
If you weren?t a boxer: I?d be in law enforcement. ive worked with juvenile delinquents for the past three years. i got my criminal justice degree.
Last place you went in holiday: Las Vegas.
Favourite football team: The Indianapolis Colts.
Best boxer in the sport today: Floyd Mayweather Junior. I think big money offers will make him come back. If not him, Manny Pacquiao.
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