By Ryan Songalia
Photo © Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com
Sechew "The Iron Horse" Powell's last appearance in the ring resulted in an under-whelming decision victory over Ishe Smith on Boxing After Dark this past February. Needless to say, Powell (21-1, 12KOs) didn't quite make the impression he intended to elicit. After what Powell describes as "an amicable split," Sechew and Dibella Entertainment ceased the relationship of the only promoter the fighter had ever known.
The Brooklyn native is now with Warrior's Boxing and Bad Dog Promotions. They're maiden voyage sets sail on August 24 at the Sheraton Mart Hotel, Miami, Florida against the unpredictable TBA. BoxingScene spoke with Powell about his upcoming bout and other issues affecting him.
BoxingScene.com: What do you know about your opponent, if anything?
Sechew Powell: "I don't know anything about my next opponent now. I know that whoever it is, they're gonna come to fight. I'm just looking to put on a good show. I've been out of the ring for a little bit. I'm looking to show everybody I didn't lose a step. As a matter of fact, I'm sharper than I was before. It's going to be a good fight."
BoxingScene.com: Describe the circumstances concerning your breakup with Lou Dibella. What happened there?
Powell: "It was an amicable split. I have a great deal of respect for Lou Dibella. He's always going to be someone very dear to my career. He gave me me first opportunity to fight. I think we had a successful run for the most part. It's no love lost. We have no beef. I'm just with new people and we're doing new things."
BoxingScene.com: Who are these new people and what new things are you speaking of?
Powell: "I'm with Warrior's and Bad Dog Promotions. They've signed me to a multi-promotional contract. They've given me the opportunities that I've been looking for the last 2-3 years. They're looking to set up a title eliminator and possibly have me in title shot position by the end of the year."
BoxingScene.com: Your last fight, against Ishe Smith, left the fans with a bitter taste in their mouths. Do you think that fight did more good than bad, or vice versa?
Powell: "I say more good than bad. I wasn't necessarily pleased with the performance but I was pleased with the win. Ishe came with a fight style that was very ugly. That was the kind of fight I needed to fight to win. I did what I had to do to win. If I could do it over again, I woulda stopped him. I had about two or three opportunities to get him out of there. I didn't take advantage of them, but you live and you learn."
BoxingScene.com: You look to be in pretty good shape. How is training going for this upcoming fight?
Powell: "Training is going good. I'm trying to get in tip-top shape. I have the fight on the 24th, that's my main focus. I really want to impress. What I'm gonna do is I'm gonna stay in champ and not go home to train straight through for the title eliminator."
BoxingScene.com: Is New York still home to you?
Powell: "Home is New York. Brooklyn, baby."
BoxingScene.com: Being that a great deal of Dibella prospects have been knocked off as of recent, what is your stance on the future of Dibella Entertainment?
Powell: "I think Dibella will always have success in boxing. He's a guy who likes to sign good talent and he likes to test it. He likes to put his talent in tough. That can only serve the fans well."
BoxingScene.com: Give us your pick, who would win between Francisco Figueroa and Dmitriy Salita?
Powell: "I like both guys, I see it being a tough fight. It's a pick 'em fight, anybody can win it. If I had to give the edge to someone, I might give the edge to Gato for fighting the tougher guys."
BoxingScene.com: Who wins, Kassim Ouma or Sergio Mora?
Powell: "I gotta go with Ouma. Mora, he's a sucker. I don't see much from him. I don't think much of him as a fighter. If you ask my personal opinion, he's a bum. I don't know how they allow him to win fights. I gotta go with Ouma, that's an easy win."
BoxingScene.com: Between Curtis Stevens, Gary Stark, and Edgar Santana, who stands the best chance of rebounding?
Powell: "Personally, my favorite out of the three, and in boxing in general, is Curtis Stevens. I think he's underrated, under-appreciated. and when he gets the opportunity to shine, the world is gonna know who he is."
BoxingScene.com: Is there anything you'd like to say that we haven't covered?
Powell: "I just want to say thank you to all the fans for believing in Iron Horse and supporting me. Check me out at the 24th at the Sheraton Hotel in Miami. I'm going to put on a great show."
Any questions or comments? Send them to me at mc_rson@yahoo.com