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Age started boxing: Eight
First boxing memory: I used to box the other youngsters from my neighbourhood. I could never understand why my dad was so tough. He would give lollypops to the other kids when they beat me and I would get the belt.
Inspiration: My father. I realise now how wise a man he is. He made me the man I am today.
Favourite all-time fighter: Rocky Marciano. There was nothing fancy about him. He was just so tough. I like his life story, too, where his parents came over from Italy.
Best fight you’ve seen: That would have to be Joe Louis’ fights. I could sit all day and watch his fights. He was so precise with his punches.
Pre-fight meal: As long as I eat clean, that’s the main thing. I have something that won’t set in the stomach, like an omelette.
What do you do to relax: Listen to music or read my bible, or I might watch a comedy movie.
Pre-fight superstition: I don’t have any at all now. I used to, though – like wearing the same pair of socks the whole week, or always putting one shoe on before the other. But not any more.
What training (if any) do you do between fights: To keep my weight down, I do roadwork mostly.
Typical breakfast: Organic oatmeal and milk.
Toughest part of being a boxer: Definitely the mental side of it. Mental preparation, mental toughness.
Favourite music: Gospel. I like peaceful music, too.
Last book you read: My bible.
Favourite film: Nacho Libre. There’s nothing like having a good laugh.
What car do you drive: A 1974 Mini Cooper
Where do you train: Right now I’m training at Scottsdale, Arizona. Usually I train in Los Angeles.
Training routine: Get up in the morning, go to the gym for an hour-and-a-half and do conditioning work and sparring. Then we either go back to the gym in the afternoon or sometimes we go to the field and run. I do three or four miles roadwork and I also do sprints. I spar for about four or five weeks for a fight.
Toughest man faced: Other than my mother! I’d have to say all my opponents. In particular Ike Ibeabuchi was a good fight, and David Izon, Oleg Maskaev, Hasim Rahman. They were good character-building fights.
What supplements do you take: None.
What would you do if you weren’t a boxer: I’d work with troubled kids as a counsellor. I do a lot of that now anyway. I like helping to straighten out troubled kids while they’re at a young age.
Last place you went on holiday: I took my father to San Maur. He wanted to go there for a meal! Then we flew all the way back to New Zealand.
Best boxer in the sport today: I’m really impressed with Joe Calzaghe. I saw his fight with Jeff Lacy and he impressed me a lot.
Favourite football team: I support any American football team that has a Samoan brother playing for them, like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
First boxing memory: I used to box the other youngsters from my neighbourhood. I could never understand why my dad was so tough. He would give lollypops to the other kids when they beat me and I would get the belt.
Inspiration: My father. I realise now how wise a man he is. He made me the man I am today.
Favourite all-time fighter: Rocky Marciano. There was nothing fancy about him. He was just so tough. I like his life story, too, where his parents came over from Italy.
Best fight you’ve seen: That would have to be Joe Louis’ fights. I could sit all day and watch his fights. He was so precise with his punches.
Pre-fight meal: As long as I eat clean, that’s the main thing. I have something that won’t set in the stomach, like an omelette.
What do you do to relax: Listen to music or read my bible, or I might watch a comedy movie.
Pre-fight superstition: I don’t have any at all now. I used to, though – like wearing the same pair of socks the whole week, or always putting one shoe on before the other. But not any more.
What training (if any) do you do between fights: To keep my weight down, I do roadwork mostly.
Typical breakfast: Organic oatmeal and milk.
Toughest part of being a boxer: Definitely the mental side of it. Mental preparation, mental toughness.
Favourite music: Gospel. I like peaceful music, too.
Last book you read: My bible.
Favourite film: Nacho Libre. There’s nothing like having a good laugh.
What car do you drive: A 1974 Mini Cooper
Where do you train: Right now I’m training at Scottsdale, Arizona. Usually I train in Los Angeles.
Training routine: Get up in the morning, go to the gym for an hour-and-a-half and do conditioning work and sparring. Then we either go back to the gym in the afternoon or sometimes we go to the field and run. I do three or four miles roadwork and I also do sprints. I spar for about four or five weeks for a fight.
Toughest man faced: Other than my mother! I’d have to say all my opponents. In particular Ike Ibeabuchi was a good fight, and David Izon, Oleg Maskaev, Hasim Rahman. They were good character-building fights.
What supplements do you take: None.
What would you do if you weren’t a boxer: I’d work with troubled kids as a counsellor. I do a lot of that now anyway. I like helping to straighten out troubled kids while they’re at a young age.
Last place you went on holiday: I took my father to San Maur. He wanted to go there for a meal! Then we flew all the way back to New Zealand.
Best boxer in the sport today: I’m really impressed with Joe Calzaghe. I saw his fight with Jeff Lacy and he impressed me a lot.
Favourite football team: I support any American football team that has a Samoan brother playing for them, like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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