By Ryan Burton
Lightweight up and comer Hank Lundy doesn't lack confidence. The 26 year old Philadelphia native is set to fight for the lightweight NABA title in April against an opponent to be determined. Hammerin' Hank feels like he is ready to fight any of the lightweight champions, including Michael Katsidis and Edwin Valero, right now. Also see what Lundy thinks about being compared to Vinny Paz, following in Bernard Hopkins shoes and more in this exclusive interview found only at BoxingScene.com.com
BoxingScene.com: What is the latest with Hank Lundy?
Hank Lundy: I am just in the gym training getting ready for my next fight.
BoxingScene.com: Is there a date and an opponent set for the fight?
Hank Lundy: I know my promoter Jimmy Burchfield told me we should be going in April I think for the NABA belt. After my last fight (versus Richard Abril) I have stayed in the gym just training and working on new techniques, just working on my craft. I am not sure who I will be fighting at this point but knowing me and Jimmy knows how I feel, any one of those guys I am willing to fight. I will fight anybody they put in front of me right now.
BoxingScene.com: Tell us about your last fight, a victory over Richard Abril in January.
Hank Lundy: It was a good fight. I thank the Lord for the adversity because this guy was more of a mover and I am used to most of the fighters generally coming towards me and I had to chase him around. After he felt my power he started running and what I did in that fight was cut off the ring and just little techniques and things that I worked on before in previous camps but in previous fights I didn't get to display them because I either knocked the guys out or it was just me controlling the fight. This fight was a good fight for me. I went the whole ten (rounds). I wasn't out of breath. A lot of people were saying I was probably going to get tired since I hadn't gone ten rounds before. To me everything was on my side because I felt fresh and I felt I could have done another five rounds after that fight. It was a good fight. I won and it was a good learning experience for me.
BoxingScene.com: What do you specifically feel you learned? It was the first time you went ten rounds and you fought a guy with a different style than you have fought before. Do you think that will help your next fights be even easier? Maybe easier is the wrong word. Do you think you will be better prepared?
Hank Lundy: You said it right. It will be more easier. I wanted to see how I would do against a guy who is tall and lanky and can box. I did good. He couldn't hit me. My defense was there. The only I learned from that is I should have went to the body more. I did go to the body but when I would get on the inside the guy would hold me. If I was fighting a guy like me I would have done the same thing. I looked at the tape and I discussed it with the Hammerin' Hank team and I did everything we worked on. You have fights like that sometimes where you get decisions against tall guys like that. For this fight I give myself a B. I took care of business and I listened to everything my trainer and my corner told me to do. It was a good fight.
BoxingScene.com: I read that you went down in the 6th round.
Hank Lundy: They called it a knockdown but you could clearly see that the referee called it a slip. I was slipping a punch and you could clearly see on the tape my back leg gave out. It was a slip The guys at ringside, the commissioner I guess, said it was a knockdown. I knew what happened and I know I have a chin. All I can do is move on from it. Another thing I learned after they called it a knockdown is that I kept my composure and was able to go back to work.
BoxingScene.com: Do you think your next bout will be on ESPN or Shobox?
Hank Lundy: I have fought on ESPN twice and they love me. Each time I fought on ESPN I beat my ratings out of the box. If they are willing to pay me to put me on there I am willing to fight. Shobox definitely. Anybody at 135 that is ready for me, lets go.
BoxingScene.com: I read on a press release today that your promoter Jimmy Burchfield compares you to Vinny Paz and Ray Mancini. When you hear things like that do you feel more pressure to put on good performances?
Hank Lundy: Not really you know. There was another press release that went out that said I am the best prospect to come out of Philadelphia since Bernard Hopkins. You know Bernard is the king of Philly and I felt as though I had to carry on his legacy but really there is no pressure because I am going in there doing what Hammerin' Hank is supposed to do. I have my own name but to be put in the same category with those guys makes me feel good and let me know that by me training hard and living a fighter's life I am doing something right.
BoxingScene.com: Vinny Paz and Ray Mancini were famous for not only winning titles but for their crowd pleasing styles. The crowds seem to really like you and your style.
Hank Lundy: I get compared to Vinny Paz a lot and that is one of my good friends right there.
BoxingScene.com: If you could fight any lightweight in the world right now who would you want?
Hank Lundy: Right now I want the champ. You could give me Katsidis definitely or you could give me Edwin Valero or give me the the Peterson brother (Anthony) or give me both of them I don't care. I used to fight at 142 so it doesn't really matter.
BoxingScene.com: Alexander versus Urango. Who wins that fight?
Hank Lundy: Juan Urango has the power but then again Devon Alexander is slick and can move. If Devon Alexander doesn't get dumb and cocky and try to trade with Juan Urango then I like Devon Alexander to win on points. If Alexander gets dumb and tries to trade then I have Urango by knockout.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Hank Lundy: Hammerin' Hank is coming to a city or town near you so get ready. It's Hammer Time!
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com
