By Rick Reeno
The main event of the upcoming November 13th, 2004 Don King promoted pay per view will be Jameel McCline challenging his long-time friend Chris Byrd for the IBF heavyweight championship of the world. McCline was at one time a very hot up and coming heavyweight in the division, but was derailed when he faded in the late rounds of a very boring fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
McCline went on the comeback trail following the Klitschko fight to get himself back into the title picture and secure a shot at one of the heavyweight champs. After McCline was made the mandatory challenger to Chris Byrd, Byrd tried to avoid McCline in order to face Andrew Golota in a rematch. After several protests, lawsuits and political moves, McCline will get his deserved shot at the gold. BoxingScene caught up with Jameel to get his thoughts on the upcoming fight with Chris Byrd.
BoxingScene: Jameel, there were many that thought they would never see you in this position again, fighting for a heavyweight belt as the main event on a big pay per view card. After the loss to Klitschko, did you see yourself getting back to this level?
McCline: I knew that I would get back to this level again because of how hard I work and my dedication. It wasn't easy, it was a long road to get back to this point and now I'm ready to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
BoxingScene: Did you learn anything from the Klitschko loss?
McCline: I learned a lot. I made mistakes in the way I was training. I'm a much smarter fighter now, my training has improved greatly, I'm working with the right people and I'm ready for this.
BoxingScene: The main focus in this fight seems to be the friendship between you and Chris Byrd and whether or not it will play a role in the fight. Some are paranoid that it may cause the both of you to fight a cautious type of chess match. Do you think the friendship will affect you?
McCline: No, not at all, it won't affect me. Once you get in the ring, there are no friends. Chris is my friend, but this isn't personal, this is business. I'm going to fight Chris like I would fight any other opponent.
BoxingScene: There is an obvious size advantage in your favor for this fight. You have been criticized by experts for not using your size in fights, not fighting like a true big heavyweight. Will we see you use your size in this fight?
McCline: I'm going to fight my fight, I'm going to use my size and strength to impose my will on Chris.
BoxingScene: Do you think Chris will try and make it an entertaining fight like he did against Andrew Golota or try and box like he did against David Tua?
McCline: I don't know what Chris will do, I know what I will do. This will be an exciting fight and I'm going to come out on top with the IBF belt.
BoxingScene: Many feel that Chris lost his last two fights against Fres Oquendo and Andrew Golota. Do you think that puts more pressure on Chris to perform well in this fight and may lead him to fight a style that he is not accustomed to fighting as seen in the Golota fight?
McCline: This is a big show for the heavyweight championship in front of thousands in Madison Square Garden and millions watching on pay per view. I think there in an equal amount of pressure on both of us. We both had setbacks in our careers and we both want to prove in this fight that we are best in the world.
BoxingScene: Thank you for your time and good luck on November 13th.
McCline: Thank you.