Mayfield Talks Ramos Fight, Mayweather-Mosley, More

By Ryan Burton

 

Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield talks about his upcoming fight with Mario Ramos in Reno, Nevada on March 19th.  Mayfield, a Bay Area native is 11-0 and is looking to take his career to the next level.  He doesn't compare himself to Devon Alexander but he wants to use Alexander's route to the title to get his own title in the welterweight division.  Mayfield who has sparred with Shane Mosley and Ricky Hatton gives his opinion on the Mayweather versus Mosley mega fight,  the keys to his own fight and more in this BoxingScene.com exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about your upcoming fight.  I understand you were training for Jason Davis but he pulled out and now you are going up against Mario Ramos.

 

Karim Mayfield:  Yeah I am going up against a kid named Mario Ramos.  I checked him out on the tube and checked him out on Boxrec.  He has fought a few good opponents or whatever.  I think he is a good opponent to help me advance my career.  I think at this point it is good to fight a decent opponent instead of just anybody.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Does it bother you to have an opponent change so close to the fight?

 

Karim Mayfield:  Yeah you know I only have like a week and a half notice about Davis (pulling out)  but never the less that is part of the game and you can't let stuff like that bother you too much otherwise you will get consumed with type of stuff or you will be thinking too much and it will affect your performance.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Besides the obvious which is getting the win what are you looking to do when you step in the ring?

 

Karim Mayfield:  I am definitely going to make a statement.  I know Lamont Peterson and Demetrius Hopkins went the distance with him so I am looking to make a statement on that one.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about training with Virgil Hunter (Andre Ward's trainer).

 

Karim Mayfield:  Well Virgil Hunter is definitely a great trainer.  He has a lot of wisdom.  He is a very wise man.  He is a little different than other trainers.  I have been with a couple of trainers in my career.  First of all he is an innovator.  He comes up with all kinds of gadgets and different stuff that definitely helps improve whatever he is working on.  He is also a philospher.  This guy comes with the coldest proverbs.  He is definitely inspiring.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Your upcoming fight is on a Lets Get it On promoted event.  Are you looking to sign with them?

 

Karim Mayfield:  To be honest I am definitely looking to do some business with them.  Maybe I will sign later in my career.  Right now I want to weigh things out.  I don't want to be exclusive to anybody right now.  I definitely want to be able to fight on other people's cards with different promoters.  I don't want to be tied down to one promoter and that is where I am at right now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What is your managerial status?  Are you no longer managed by Jackie Kallen?

 

Karim Mayfield:  I am no longer with her.  My contract ended with her.  I fulfilled the obligation of the contract and the three years are up so I am looking to further my career and I am looking at different opportunities now.

 

BoxingScene.com:  If you had a crystal ball where do you see yourself twelve months from now?

 

Karim Mayfield:  I see myself holding a couple low ranking titles or regional titles.  I see myself being definitely ranked with a couple minor titles and looking to go for a world title shot.  I see Devon Alexander got a shot after nineteen fights.  That is what I am shooting for.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You have sparred in the past with Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley.  How do you think Mosley fares versus Floyd Mayweather?

 

Karim Mayfield:  I think it is going to be a great fight.  The only thing is I see Floyd coming out with the victory.  I don't see him beating up Sugar Shane but Floyd always seems to find a way to come out with a victory even if it is not that beautiful or spectacular.  I think Floyd comes away with the victory but I see it being a great fight.  Mosley will do his best and it will be a tough fight.

 

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

 

Karim Mayfield:  They should look to see a lot more from me this year.  I have good sportsmanship and look to put on great fights.  When Mayweather goes out of here and retires its Mayfield coming in.