Matt Remillard Talks Lora Win, The Future, and More

By Ryan Burton

 

Featherweight prospect Matt "Sharpshooter" Remillard improved his record to 21-0 with 12 KO's with his victory over Rafael Lora (11-2) last Saturday night in the co-featured bout to Peter Manfredo versus Matt Vanda at The Mohegan Sun.  Lora's corner threw in the towel after the third round citing two broken ribs.  Remillard previously TKO'd Lora but Lora's camp had cried foul saying the punch was low.  The Sharpshooter wanted to erase any doubt and did exactly that in defending his NABF featherweight title.  Remilllard discusses these topics and more in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  First off congrats on the win over Rafael Lora.  How do you rate your performance?

 

Matt Remillard:  I thought I made quick work of him.  I wanted it to go a little bit longer so I could have show cased a little more of what I could have done.  Quick work sometimes is the safest way to go about your business.  I don't want to knock my opponent and take a chance.  I am glad I got him out of there.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Being you had just beat him September why did you fight him again?

 

Matt Remillard:  Well there was controversy in the first fight.  In September he said I hit him with a low blow.  I called it a body shot.  The referee called it a body shot and the NABF council called it a body shot.  It was reviewed and they ruled it a TKO by me.  The NABF and my team came to a conclusion that we will give this guy one more chance at it to clear the air of any controversy.  It was really up to me and was my decision.  I had a bad taste in my mouth and I gave him another shot.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Was that so that as you advance in your career you don't have to hear about that particular fight?

 

Matt Remillard:  Exactly.  I didn't want that to be held over my head in future fights.  I got a chance to fight in the casino (The Mohegan Sun) in my hometown and I had a great showing.  A lot of people came out to show support.  The win was a weight lifted off my shoulders for sure.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Is your next fight scheduled yet?

 

Matt Remillard: We are looking at late March or early April against someone rated in the top 10 or top 15.  Someone who is definitely a step up.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What did you think of Peter Manfredo's performance in the main event?

 

Matt Remillard:  I thought Manfredo was excellent.  I thought it was going to be a tough fight at first.  I know Matt Vanda very well.  He is a strong guy and I thought he was going to give Peter a little more trouble than he really did.  Peter hasn't made 160 in five years so I thought that would play to Vanda's advantage but Peter looked great and put on the performance of his life.  He went 10 rounds easily and looked good in every round shutting Vanda out.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Where do you see yourself and your career at the end of the year?

 

Matt Remillard:  Hopefully I will be contending for top 5 or top 10 in the world.  Realistically at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 I think it will be my time to fight for one of the legit titles.  I started off with the Youth titles and the WBC has been great to me so hopefully I can move up the rankings and fight an eliminator or a title fight soon.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about your amateur background.

 

Matt Remillard:  I had just under a 150 fights.  I was 125-15.  I was a two time National Champion.  I fought for Team USA versus Korea.  I was in England fighting at 125 lbs. and the American who was fighting at 132 couldn't make weight to fight Amir Khan and they asked me to step up to 132 to fight him in England.  At the last minute Michael Dallas the 132 lb. fighter stepped up and fought him.  It was all and all a great experience for me.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What made you interested in boxing in the first place?

 

Matt Remillard:  I always wanted to box.  I started when I was 13.  I couldn't find a boxing gym and then my grandfather introduced me to it and I just started boxing.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Who do you think wins in the Valero vs. DeMarco fight this weekend?

 

Matt Remillard:  DeMarco is a good boxer but I am picking Valero.  I think he has too much power and too explosive for him.  I don't think he will take him out early but in the middle to late rounds he should stop him.

 

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

 

Matt Remillard: I just want to thank everybody for the support.  Look out for my name in 2010.