By Ryan Burton
Cruiserweight Ryan "Irish Outlaw" Coyne (13-0) speaks to BoxingScene.com about his recent signing with Don King Promotions, his recent stint on The Contender and his plans for 2010. Fighting out of the big boxing city of St. Louis, Missouri the Irish Outlaw also gives his take on the Pacquiao Mayweather situation and much more in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: What is the latest with the Irish Outlaw, Ryan Coyne?
Irish Outlaw: Well Ryan, 2009 was a quite a year for me. I had a successful stint on The Contender. I fought twice, and won both of my fights before a nasty cut kept me out of the finals. I returned to the ring twice after that with stay busy type fights, and in September I got on board with Don King Productions. That said, 2010 needs to be, scratch that, has to be an even bigger year for me.
BoxingScene.com: What do you think Don King can do for your career?
Irish Outlaw: I think it pretty much goes without saying. Don gets his guys opportunities that other fighters don't get. It's that simple. I want to go to the top in this game, and I want to do it now! Don is a class act, wise beyond his years in this tumultuous game, but make no mistakes he believes in cannabalism. What I mean is when the time comes, he feeds his own fighters to each other with the last man standing mentality. And that's all hunky-dory as far as I'm concerned.
BoxingScene.com: You are 13-0 now. When can we expect you back in the ring and what
record do you want to get to by the end of 2010?
Irish Outlaw: I'm in shape and ready to fight now, and I mean RIGHT NOW. The phone rings this morning, I'm on the plane this afternoon, I make weight tonight, and kick ass tomorrow! I don't have outrageous financial demands or anything like that. I got a nice suitcase for Christmas, and it goes anywhere. I'm still waiting to hear back from my promoter, but when the call comes, I'm ready to roll baby! 14, 15, 16, 17-0. It's all gravy with me. If the fights can be made, let's F@#$%&* have it!
BoxingScene.com: When do you think you will be ready to fight some of the top 15 to top 20 guys in the division?
Irish Outlaw: The time is now. DKP's stable is very deep in my division, and you better believe that is why I jumped on board, opportuntiy. There's WBA champion Guillermo Jones, maybe the best cruiserweight in the world. Steve Cunningham who's about to reacquire the IBF belt. I know I can't just sign on the dotted line and go sit in the bosses chair, but there's also former champion Wayne Braithewaite and prospect Francisco Palacios. I'm ready to step into fights like those. Let's make it happen in 2010.
BoxingScene.com: His stable is deep. Who do you think is the best cruiserweight right now?
Irish Outlaw: That's a tough question to answer without pissing someone off, but if everyone saw eye to eye we'd be setting a precedent in boxing. The division has been kind of shaken up since David Haye moved up to HW and then Adamek quickly followed suit, so you've got a lot of would be heirs to the throne. I think it's gotta be Guilermo Jones. You don't see a lot of guys beating down the door to fight him. I think it's what's not said that speaks volumes sometimes, and I don't see a lot of guys calling him out. Steve Cunningham is right up there too no doubt.
BoxingScene.com: How is the St. Louis boxing scene right now?
Irish Outlaw: Boxing here in 'The Lou' is alive and well. We've got a few champions, and some other guys making noise as well. Devon Alexander won the WBC Junior Welterweight world title last year and is set to unify against Juan Urango here in March. Corey Spinks picked up another title last year. Deandre Latimore is about to have a big rematch with Sechew Powell in an IBF eliminator, and the Irish Outlaw is going to get in the mix this year too.
BoxingScene.com: What did you learn from your time on The Contender?
Irish Outlaw: Being on The Contender was a big time learning experience. Somewhat of a trial by fire, if you will. Most of the stuff that takes place in the boxing world like picking your opponents, fighting in your backyard, comforts like that were totally out the window. You had guys like Darnell 'Ding A Ling Man' Wilson a massive puncher and big favorite who couldn't deal with the unknowns like the cameras, not knowing who you're fighting, etc not even make it out of the first round. To me it was a situation where guys had to get back to the roots of what boxing is and every man fight it out. Boxing would probably be better as a sport if it worked that way. My only regret was that I didn't have enough time to heal from my cut to put myself in position to win the tournament, but as one chapter ends another one begins.
BoxingScene.com: If you had a crystal ball where do you see yourself this time in 2011?
Irish Outlaw: There are so many obstacles to overcome in this game political, economical, and what not it's tough to tell. I just need to worry about controlling the things I can control. Basically making sure I'm logging my hours in the gym and on the road so that when opportunity knocks I'm in the best possible position to make my mark in the cruiserweight division. As long as I do what I need to do, and Don does his job there's no reason in the world I can't be a top 10 contender ready for that world championship.
BoxingScene.com: What is your take on the Pacquiao Mayweather scandal?
Irish Outlaw: I guess they don't like money. That seems to be the only rational explanation for two guys to each walk away from $40 million to go their seperate ways and fight for a fraction of that. It's funny you ask that because I've explained the situation to people who aren't privy to the boxing world, and they look at me like I'm completely insane. In all seriousness, my first take was that it was posturing, but now that these guys are seriouslly going to walk away from that kind of cheddar, I'm dumbfounded. If both guys really want the fight and all the riches that come with it, they should and will find a way to make it happen.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Irish Outlaw: Thanks to all my great fans out there who followed me on The Contender and thereafter, especially my family and friends. A big thanks to my sponsors at John P. Fields, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and The Kielty Law Firm. Also my trainer Ray Franklin, Jim Sewell my web designer at The Grip Agency, SWEAT St. Louis, and my advisor Mike Garrett. 2009 was big, but I'm never one to be satisfied so look for bigger and better things from Ryan 'The Irish Outlaw' Coyne in 2010. Keep up with me and all the latest happenings at www.irishoutlawboxing.com.
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