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Editor Steve you're getting ready for Oscar De La Hoya, tell us about it.
SF I'm real excited to be fighting the golden boy, the biggest name in boxing. My camp starts today, and I am ready to get rolling.
Editor What will be the key to your success against De La Hoya?
SF You can't run from him. I will say that right off of the bat, I am not going to run from him. I didn't join the track team, so you won't see any running from me. I think you have to challenge him, and show him right off of the bat that you're there to win.
Editor I'm guessing that you will be looking at De La Hoya vs Mayweather footage?
SF Absolutely, I'll look at what Floyd was successful with, and I will work on doing the same things. Without a doubt, I'll implement that into what I'm trying to do against him.
Editor How did all of this get started, how were you approached about this fight?
SF Well I heard that Oscar was looking at me as an opponent to come back. I told them that you guys must be joking, this is a bad joke, don't joke like that. Then they got Golden Boy on the phone, and I realized that this was a serious offer. Roger Mayweather dropped my name in there as well, he told them if you want to fight someone, fight Steve Forbes. That's pretty much how it happened.
Editor Why would it be a mistake for De La Hoya to think that you're just an opponent for a comeback fight?
SF Well I don't really think that he thinks it's going to be an easy fight. He has fought everyone of his era, so it's hard for me to say that he's just looking at this as a tune up fight. It's hard for me to say, because he's fought everyone there is to fight when he didn't have to fight them. I am still a very hungry fighter, and Oscar has done it all, so possibly he may over look me a little bit.
Editor It's nobody's business how much you're making for this fight, but I am guessing that this will be the biggest payday of your career.
SF Oh absolutely, it will keep me and my family very happy for a very long time.
Editor I got to be honest, I am happy for you Steve. It's nice to see a guy like yourself get a deserving payday.
SF Absolutely Brad, I have been in the game for a long time. I'm only 31 but it seems like I have been around forever. Even when I was a champion, I wasn't that recognized. So this is the best thing in the world. It shows you that if you strive for it, good things will happen. This will be the most watched fight for a long time because it's on free HBO, I am really looking forward to it.
Editor - People can say what they want about The Contender series, but there's no doubt that Jeff Wald and them guys over there have provided some big opportunities for you guys. Gomez vs Gatti and now Cotto, Manfredo Jr vs Calzaghe, they had Mora vs Taylor as well even though Mora decided not to take the fight.
SF Well the critics can be just that, critics. Alfonso fought and beat Arturo Gatti, and he was the under dog for that fight. Then he beat Ben Tackie, so it just shows you that recognition goes a long way. People can say what they want about The Contender, but they are putting us out there against these guys. I was a former champion, so I feel like I have a little seniority over the guys and that's no disrespect. I am just thankful that the opportunity has come for me.
Editor What sort of style do you think this fight will be?
SF I think that it will be a boxing match. I think he will challenge me early to see what I got early. I have been waiting for this opportunity since I was 10 so the big stage won't bother me. I think it will settle into a good old fashioned boxing match. I think it will be a lot more of a chess match, and a boxing knowledge fight.
Editor Do you think that you have enough power to stop De La Hoya?
SF I wouldn't say stop him, but I think I have enough power to shock him, and to buckle him with a good shot. De La Hoya has fought everyone man, besides Hopkins, who was a huge middleweight, you don't stop a guy like De La Hoya. Realistically, I see a split decision or a unanimous decision.
Editor Steve do you have any closing thoughts for your fans?
SF I just want to thank my fans for taking this ride with me. I look forward to coming out on May 3rd and putting on a great show, and a great fight.
SF I'm real excited to be fighting the golden boy, the biggest name in boxing. My camp starts today, and I am ready to get rolling.
Editor What will be the key to your success against De La Hoya?
SF You can't run from him. I will say that right off of the bat, I am not going to run from him. I didn't join the track team, so you won't see any running from me. I think you have to challenge him, and show him right off of the bat that you're there to win.
Editor I'm guessing that you will be looking at De La Hoya vs Mayweather footage?
SF Absolutely, I'll look at what Floyd was successful with, and I will work on doing the same things. Without a doubt, I'll implement that into what I'm trying to do against him.
Editor How did all of this get started, how were you approached about this fight?
SF Well I heard that Oscar was looking at me as an opponent to come back. I told them that you guys must be joking, this is a bad joke, don't joke like that. Then they got Golden Boy on the phone, and I realized that this was a serious offer. Roger Mayweather dropped my name in there as well, he told them if you want to fight someone, fight Steve Forbes. That's pretty much how it happened.
Editor Why would it be a mistake for De La Hoya to think that you're just an opponent for a comeback fight?
SF Well I don't really think that he thinks it's going to be an easy fight. He has fought everyone of his era, so it's hard for me to say that he's just looking at this as a tune up fight. It's hard for me to say, because he's fought everyone there is to fight when he didn't have to fight them. I am still a very hungry fighter, and Oscar has done it all, so possibly he may over look me a little bit.
Editor It's nobody's business how much you're making for this fight, but I am guessing that this will be the biggest payday of your career.
SF Oh absolutely, it will keep me and my family very happy for a very long time.
Editor I got to be honest, I am happy for you Steve. It's nice to see a guy like yourself get a deserving payday.
SF Absolutely Brad, I have been in the game for a long time. I'm only 31 but it seems like I have been around forever. Even when I was a champion, I wasn't that recognized. So this is the best thing in the world. It shows you that if you strive for it, good things will happen. This will be the most watched fight for a long time because it's on free HBO, I am really looking forward to it.
Editor - People can say what they want about The Contender series, but there's no doubt that Jeff Wald and them guys over there have provided some big opportunities for you guys. Gomez vs Gatti and now Cotto, Manfredo Jr vs Calzaghe, they had Mora vs Taylor as well even though Mora decided not to take the fight.
SF Well the critics can be just that, critics. Alfonso fought and beat Arturo Gatti, and he was the under dog for that fight. Then he beat Ben Tackie, so it just shows you that recognition goes a long way. People can say what they want about The Contender, but they are putting us out there against these guys. I was a former champion, so I feel like I have a little seniority over the guys and that's no disrespect. I am just thankful that the opportunity has come for me.
Editor What sort of style do you think this fight will be?
SF I think that it will be a boxing match. I think he will challenge me early to see what I got early. I have been waiting for this opportunity since I was 10 so the big stage won't bother me. I think it will settle into a good old fashioned boxing match. I think it will be a lot more of a chess match, and a boxing knowledge fight.
Editor Do you think that you have enough power to stop De La Hoya?
SF I wouldn't say stop him, but I think I have enough power to shock him, and to buckle him with a good shot. De La Hoya has fought everyone man, besides Hopkins, who was a huge middleweight, you don't stop a guy like De La Hoya. Realistically, I see a split decision or a unanimous decision.
Editor Steve do you have any closing thoughts for your fans?
SF I just want to thank my fans for taking this ride with me. I look forward to coming out on May 3rd and putting on a great show, and a great fight.
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