Ossie Duran Talks Ellis Fight, Cotto vs Foreman, More

By Ryan Burton

 

The Ghannian Gladiator, Ossie Duran returns to the ring on June 13th in Philadephia versus Jerome Ellis in a junior middleweight bout.  The New Jersey resident is coming off a February victory over Jaamal Davis.  Duran speaks to BoxingScene.com about this fight, moving his way back up to title contention, and more in this exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com: Tell us about your upcoming fight with Jerome Ellis.

 

Ossie Duran: I think it is a good fight.  It is a good fight for me.  I had my last fight on the 27th of February and I am going back in the ring on the 13th of June so you know it is good for me.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Jerome Ellis is only 12-11 but he does have a good knockout percentage (10 KOs),  being that you have never been knocked out before do you worry at all about his power?

 

Ossie Duran:  I am not worried about his power.  I am training hard and getting in shape for this fight.  I am not worried about his power at all.  Like I said I am getting ready for this fight plus I am not taking this fight lightly because Jerome Ellis is a good fighter.  His record doesn't mean nothing.  He can fight.  I am not worried at all about his power.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Is your strategy going to be to outbox him or are you looking to make it an early night?

 

Ossie Duran:  Well I am going to see what he is going to come into the ring with you know.  I don't know what he is going to do.  I don't go in there with any strategy.  When the bell rings that is when I start doing what I am supposed to do.  I guess I am just planning to go in there and win this fight and win it big.  That is what I am planning for.

 

BoxingScene.com: You have lost three out of your last five fights and you are 33 years old.  Do you think you have another run to towards the title left in you?

 

Ossie Duran:  Yes.  In my mind age is nothing.  It depends on how a fighter gets ready for fights.  Age doesn't matter.  All of the fights I lost I feel I didn't lose those fights.  I went into these strong up and coming fighters back yards and I beat them like I did (Fernando) Guerrero.  I beat Guerrero but they gave him the fight so my age doesn't bother me at all.  I know I am going to win the title before I retire.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Speaking of the Guerrero fight, would you like to have a rematch with him?

 

Ossie Duran:  Anytime.  He don't want to take a rematch.  All these guys after they have fought me once they don't to fight me anymore.  I am looking forward to winning a world title, maybe after I beat Jerome Ellis.   Maybe after I win this fight I will get a couple more fights and then win the title.  I know I am going to be a world champion one day.  I am a good fighter.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You have fought at junior middleweight and middleweight.  What division do you plan on campaigning in?

 

Ossie Duran:  Right now I am campaigning at both junior middleweight and middleweight.  Either one of me is fine.  When I get an opening in either weight I will just grab it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  At 154 lbs. you have a lot of good fighters like Miguel Cotto, Yuri Foreman, Cory Spinks, Alfredo Angulo, Vanes Martirosyan and the list goes on.  Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight?

 

Ossie Duran:  I want to fight all of them.  I sparred with Yuri Foreman.  I want to fight anyone of those fighters you mentioned.  I am good or better than some of them.  They just have to put me in there with them.  I am ready to fight anyone of them.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Who do you think wins the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman fight?

 

Ossie Duran:  Well it depends because Foreman has good legs and he moves and he doesn't like fighting it out and Miguel Cotto is going to go in there looking to fight.  If either of them adjusts then well you know its a 50-50 fight.  Cotto likes to come forward and fight and Foreman likes to move on his feet.  It is an interesting fight.  I can't say who is going to win.  It is going to be a tough fight and it is going to be a 50-50 fight.

 

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

 

Ossie Duran:  To my fans please keep supporting me.  I am the best out there right now so keep supporting me.  On the 13th I am going to make them proud.