By Mark Vester

Verno Phillips (42-10-1, 21 KOs), a veteran of the game who fought a lot of names like Ike Quartey, Kassim Ouma, Cory Spinks, Bronco McKart and even Julian Jackson. He knows that everyone has listed him as a heavy underdog when he takes on Paul Williams (35-1, 26 KOs) for the vacant WBO interim-junior middleweight title on November 29 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

Phillips has not fought since a March split-decision win over Spinks to capture the IBF junior middleweight title. He tells BoxingScene.com's Brent Matteo Alderson that Spinks made the mistake of overlooking him. Rather than fight another battle with Spinks, he wanted to face the bigger challenge in Williams.

"I prepared myself. They thought it was an easy win too. I got to prove these young lions wrong. They tried to make a rematch because he was the mandatory. Sechew Powell was the number-one and then he got beat and knocked off the charts. I guess Spinks was the number two or three, then they gave him the mandatory," Phillips said. "I wanted to take this fight [with Williams].

Phillips will celebrate his birthday on the day of the fight. Williams has vowed to give him a present by sending him into retirement. He knows Williams is looking for bigger things in 2009, and plans to make him pay when they step in the ring.

"I went in there with Julian Jackson when I was a young lion and I knew what I was up against, a hall of famer and I showed what I can do. Paul is the same thing, except he's the young lion and I'm coming after him. They are looking past me. He's superman right now but I'm going to give him some kryptonite. They think this 39-year-old fighter will be done after this, but like I've said - I am a breed to this. I am still in this game and I'm going to be around for a long time," Phillips said.

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