By Ryan Burton

 

Junior middleweight contender Deandre "The Bull" Latimore (21-3) returns to the ring on April 16th versus veteran Dennis Sharpe (16-6-3) on the undercard of the HBO televised main event that features Andre Berto defending his title versus Victor Ortiz.  Latimore is looking to win his second fight in a row and get back in contention for a title shot.

 

The St. Louis native will be fighting his second consecutive fight under the tutelage of trainer Jacob Chavez.  Latimore talks about his preparation for the fight, the keys to victory and more in this exclusive interview only on BoxingScene.com.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Give us your thoughts on your upcoming fight versus Dennis Sharpe?

 

Deandre Latimore:  I am excited to be getting back in the ring.  I am going to go in there and take care of business and that is about it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Have you seen any tape on him?

 

Deandre Latimore:  Yeah I have seen a little tape on him.  I ain't too impressed.  I am going to go in there with a game plan and I am going to be ready to go.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Sharpe has lost his last few fights.  Do you feel like you need to make an

 impression and get him out of there early?

 

Deandre Latimore:  Nah I just want to get in there and get the win.  That is the important thing.  I want to get back on track and work my way towards getting a world title.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What type of fight are you going to be looking for after this fight?  Is the plan to face a top 10 guy next?

 

Deandre Latimore:  We are just going to take care of this fight and move forward from there.  Hopefully after this fight I can fight an eliminator and then get one of the top cats in the division and just go from there.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Your division (154 pounds) is a very deep division.  Over the past couple weeks some of the highly touted prospects have faced setbacks.  Erislandy Lara had a draw versus Carlos Ortiz and James Kirkland was knocked out on Saturday.  What are your thoughts on those fighters?

 

Deandre Latimore:  I thought those cats were over rated anyways you know what I am saying. It is all coming out now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Even with what happened to them you know that we will see them on TV again soon.  Do you feel slighted in that you have had a couple setbacks and seem to be flying under the radar.

 

Deandre Latimore:  Well you know what, a lot of cats think that I am done but I got a plan for everybody and I will show everybody by the end of this year.

 

BoxingScene.com:  In the main event of the card you are fighting on Andre Berto faces Victor Ortiz.  Who do you like in that fight?

 

Deandre Latimore:  That is one that I am not going to be able to call.  Both of those cats are my boys you know.  We will just see what happens.

 

BoxingScene.com:  This is your second fight in a row training under Jacob Chavez.  How is it going training under him?

 

Deandre Latimore:  Everything is going good, going as planned.  We are in a new chapter of the book and we are going to get on a roll here.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What differences have you noticed specifically?

 

Deandre Latimore:  Overall we are just taking care of business.  We have gotten all of my distractions away from me.  I am out here and training hard and I am just ready to go right now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Speaking of distractions, do you have less distractions living here in Las Vegas versus when you were living and training out of your hometown St. Louis?

 

Deandre Latimore:  There are a whole lot less distractions here in Las Vegas.  I am able to focus 100% on boxing right now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  If it was up to you and you could fight anybody in the 154 pound division who would it be?

 

Deandre Latimore:  Man I will fight all of them cats.  I will fight them all in the same.  I am training hard and ready to go.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Deandre Latimore:  2011 is going to be a good year.  Hopefully we can get some big fights and get on a roll and get back on TV.

 
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