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Who is Rashad Halloway?
Many of you know him as Manny Pacquiao’s current sparring partner. Some of you who’ve done a little bit of research (like me) may know him as a light middleweight boxer with a record of 9-1-0 with 5 KOs. “Welterweight! Get it right.” was Rashad Halloway’s quick interjection when I mistakenly introduced him as a light middleweight as boxrec.com suggested. So who exactly is Rashad Halloway? In the words of the man himself, “if you haven’t heard about him yet, you will soon enough.
I was fortunate to get a hold of Rashad for a phone interview last Tuesday before his training session at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Rashad hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and is considered one of the best boxing talents to ever come from the city. “I’m from a rough city. Boxing is real big in my city. (Cincinnati) You can find boxing gyms in the projects, to the city, to the basements. ” Rashad amassed an impressive 111 fights as an amateur boxer, and despite his young professional career, he has already worked with the best boxers in the game. Rashad sparred and was with Antonio Margarito early this year in his training camp for his fight against Miguel Cotto. He also trained with Shane Mosley for about 8 weeks in training camp before and has worked with the likes of Peter Manfredo as well.
When I asked him how he got into boxing, Rashad fondly credits Sugar Ray Leonard as one of his biggest influences. “I loved watching Sugar Ray Leonard as a kid. I had those little Franklin punching bags and gloves he had. I always loved him and I loved that little WBC belt he had and so hey, I gave it a shot.” He also described himself as a versatile fighter and a slick boxer-puncher when I asked him to describe his fighting style and why Freddie Roach tapped him to be one of Manny’s sparring partners. “I’m very versatile. I’m a slick guy. I’m a slick boxer-puncher. I got a good left hand- my jab, my left hook. I think they got me for my style. My height, I’m 5’11 and 3 quarters. I’m almost 6 feet. I use my jab a lot. I use my hook a lot. I got a powerful left hook and it’s quick. I’m a smart fighter. I’m a thinking fighter. I’m not a dumb fighter. I can box, I can punch. I’m not a big puncher but I got some pop. And I can do it all in the ring.”
Rashad has also been training at the Wild Card Gym of late. He moved to LA about a year and a half ago after his previous training camp elsewhere didn’t work out. His people moved him to the west coast and advised him to check out the Wild Card gym. He caught the eyes of Eric Brown and Freddie Roach and meshed real well with Eric Brown and has been training with them at the Wild Card ever since.
I also asked him about his sparring sessions and thoughts about Manny Pacquiao. One thing I can say about Rashad, the guy is well spoken and a very pleasant person to talk to. You can hear his enthusiasm and genuine love for the sport when he gives you his feedbacks. Here is the rest of my interview with Rashad Halloway.
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8 COUNT - We know you’ve been sparring with #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter Manny Pacquiao. Tell us how that’s coming along and how it feels to be sparring against the best boxer in the planet?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – It’s an honor and a privilege. Manny is the best. Manny is a great guy first and foremost. A great fighter, I respect him so much. To be able to test yourself in there with the pound-for-pound best and to be able to hold your own is a big test for yourself and boosts your confidence and learn something as well.
8 COUNT – How is Manny taking your punches? And how does his punches compare to the other welterweight boxers and guys your same weight and size that you’re used to spar against?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Manny is taking them well. I tell you what… he’s taking them well. Manny’s taking it in stride, he keeps coming. Honestly, I was shocked by his power. First I didn’t think Manny would have that much power and a couple of times, I kind of messed around and got hit with shots and I was like, Oh God! I can’t get hit with that one again. (Laughing) Manny can pop! Manny’s definitely gaining some power up from lightweight. His legs are tremendously big. That’s where his strength comes from- his legs. He’s very explosive.
8 COUNT – You’ve seen the best of the best out there. What is it in Manny that you’ve seen that makes him one of the best? What’s so special about him?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Manny is very explosive. You really won’t know until you’re in the ring with him. Manny has the fastest and most explosive feet I have seen in the ring. He can close the gaps so well. Manny has a big heart but he has to be careful in this fight and not go trading punches and his heart get the best of him. He has to box and be smart. Stick to the game plan. He can’t get wild, cause Manny has a lot of heart, and he’d get in there and throw leather in a heartbeat, but he’s got to stay under control. Manny’s a special fighter. He’s fast with his feet, fast with his hands; very strong, very explosive. A lot of these guys can’t move with their legs like that. Guys have good hands nowadays but not great legs. Manny has great legs.
8 COUNT – Do you think he has a legitimate shot of beating Oscar De la Hoya?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I’m picking him to beat Oscar De la Hoya! And I’m not saying that to be biased. I’m picking him to beat Oscar De la Hoya. He made me a believer. He’s going to beat Oscar De la Hoya.
8 COUNT – Do you think Manny can knock him out?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I’m going to be honest, we know he has the power to knock him out… I think so, but we know Oscar’s pretty tough. I’m not really picking him to knock him out but I’m picking him to outwork Oscar. I guarantee you he’ll stun Oscar at some point during the fight. Stevie Forbes was able to touch Oscar. Oscar’s not that good against southpaws. I think Manny will be able to touch him a whole lot.
8 COUNT – Great insight. I’m sure a lot of Pacquiao fans will appreciate your feedback on that.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Definitely, definitely.
8 COUNT – Tell us about your upcoming plans. How is the future looking for Rashad Halloway?
RASHAD HALLOWAY - It’s looking pretty bright. We’re looking at getting on the undercard (Dream Match), I think they have an issue right now of it being full but we’re looking to fight a week after on a Top Rank show. I’m just focused on camp, getting myself prepared as well. I’ll probably be fighting no later than December 13 and after that you’ll be seeing me fight possibly 8 times the next year and hopefully for an NABA, NABF, NBO Top 10 ranking.
8 COUNT – Awesome! We’ll definitely be watching out for you man. And lastly do you have anything to say to your fans, especially your fans out here in the Midwest?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I just want to thank everybody for all the support. I’ve come a long way from the amateurs to the pros and I’ve been through a lot in the boxing game so far. I came from the streets and to being back in the ring again. And I just want to show kids from the inner city that you can do it. Whatever it is you want to be or your goal, I don’t care what your environment is like, you can do it. You just have to work hard for it.
8 COUNT – Alright Rashad, I’ll let you go back to your training and I appreciate you for sharing your time with us to do this interview.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Thanks a lot man. I appreciate you.
8 COUNT – Good luck.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Thanks.
by Dennis Guillermo
Many of you know him as Manny Pacquiao’s current sparring partner. Some of you who’ve done a little bit of research (like me) may know him as a light middleweight boxer with a record of 9-1-0 with 5 KOs. “Welterweight! Get it right.” was Rashad Halloway’s quick interjection when I mistakenly introduced him as a light middleweight as boxrec.com suggested. So who exactly is Rashad Halloway? In the words of the man himself, “if you haven’t heard about him yet, you will soon enough.
I was fortunate to get a hold of Rashad for a phone interview last Tuesday before his training session at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Rashad hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and is considered one of the best boxing talents to ever come from the city. “I’m from a rough city. Boxing is real big in my city. (Cincinnati) You can find boxing gyms in the projects, to the city, to the basements. ” Rashad amassed an impressive 111 fights as an amateur boxer, and despite his young professional career, he has already worked with the best boxers in the game. Rashad sparred and was with Antonio Margarito early this year in his training camp for his fight against Miguel Cotto. He also trained with Shane Mosley for about 8 weeks in training camp before and has worked with the likes of Peter Manfredo as well.
When I asked him how he got into boxing, Rashad fondly credits Sugar Ray Leonard as one of his biggest influences. “I loved watching Sugar Ray Leonard as a kid. I had those little Franklin punching bags and gloves he had. I always loved him and I loved that little WBC belt he had and so hey, I gave it a shot.” He also described himself as a versatile fighter and a slick boxer-puncher when I asked him to describe his fighting style and why Freddie Roach tapped him to be one of Manny’s sparring partners. “I’m very versatile. I’m a slick guy. I’m a slick boxer-puncher. I got a good left hand- my jab, my left hook. I think they got me for my style. My height, I’m 5’11 and 3 quarters. I’m almost 6 feet. I use my jab a lot. I use my hook a lot. I got a powerful left hook and it’s quick. I’m a smart fighter. I’m a thinking fighter. I’m not a dumb fighter. I can box, I can punch. I’m not a big puncher but I got some pop. And I can do it all in the ring.”
Rashad has also been training at the Wild Card Gym of late. He moved to LA about a year and a half ago after his previous training camp elsewhere didn’t work out. His people moved him to the west coast and advised him to check out the Wild Card gym. He caught the eyes of Eric Brown and Freddie Roach and meshed real well with Eric Brown and has been training with them at the Wild Card ever since.
I also asked him about his sparring sessions and thoughts about Manny Pacquiao. One thing I can say about Rashad, the guy is well spoken and a very pleasant person to talk to. You can hear his enthusiasm and genuine love for the sport when he gives you his feedbacks. Here is the rest of my interview with Rashad Halloway.
***
8 COUNT - We know you’ve been sparring with #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter Manny Pacquiao. Tell us how that’s coming along and how it feels to be sparring against the best boxer in the planet?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – It’s an honor and a privilege. Manny is the best. Manny is a great guy first and foremost. A great fighter, I respect him so much. To be able to test yourself in there with the pound-for-pound best and to be able to hold your own is a big test for yourself and boosts your confidence and learn something as well.
8 COUNT – How is Manny taking your punches? And how does his punches compare to the other welterweight boxers and guys your same weight and size that you’re used to spar against?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Manny is taking them well. I tell you what… he’s taking them well. Manny’s taking it in stride, he keeps coming. Honestly, I was shocked by his power. First I didn’t think Manny would have that much power and a couple of times, I kind of messed around and got hit with shots and I was like, Oh God! I can’t get hit with that one again. (Laughing) Manny can pop! Manny’s definitely gaining some power up from lightweight. His legs are tremendously big. That’s where his strength comes from- his legs. He’s very explosive.
8 COUNT – You’ve seen the best of the best out there. What is it in Manny that you’ve seen that makes him one of the best? What’s so special about him?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Manny is very explosive. You really won’t know until you’re in the ring with him. Manny has the fastest and most explosive feet I have seen in the ring. He can close the gaps so well. Manny has a big heart but he has to be careful in this fight and not go trading punches and his heart get the best of him. He has to box and be smart. Stick to the game plan. He can’t get wild, cause Manny has a lot of heart, and he’d get in there and throw leather in a heartbeat, but he’s got to stay under control. Manny’s a special fighter. He’s fast with his feet, fast with his hands; very strong, very explosive. A lot of these guys can’t move with their legs like that. Guys have good hands nowadays but not great legs. Manny has great legs.
8 COUNT – Do you think he has a legitimate shot of beating Oscar De la Hoya?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I’m picking him to beat Oscar De la Hoya! And I’m not saying that to be biased. I’m picking him to beat Oscar De la Hoya. He made me a believer. He’s going to beat Oscar De la Hoya.
8 COUNT – Do you think Manny can knock him out?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I’m going to be honest, we know he has the power to knock him out… I think so, but we know Oscar’s pretty tough. I’m not really picking him to knock him out but I’m picking him to outwork Oscar. I guarantee you he’ll stun Oscar at some point during the fight. Stevie Forbes was able to touch Oscar. Oscar’s not that good against southpaws. I think Manny will be able to touch him a whole lot.
8 COUNT – Great insight. I’m sure a lot of Pacquiao fans will appreciate your feedback on that.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Definitely, definitely.
8 COUNT – Tell us about your upcoming plans. How is the future looking for Rashad Halloway?
RASHAD HALLOWAY - It’s looking pretty bright. We’re looking at getting on the undercard (Dream Match), I think they have an issue right now of it being full but we’re looking to fight a week after on a Top Rank show. I’m just focused on camp, getting myself prepared as well. I’ll probably be fighting no later than December 13 and after that you’ll be seeing me fight possibly 8 times the next year and hopefully for an NABA, NABF, NBO Top 10 ranking.
8 COUNT – Awesome! We’ll definitely be watching out for you man. And lastly do you have anything to say to your fans, especially your fans out here in the Midwest?
RASHAD HALLOWAY – I just want to thank everybody for all the support. I’ve come a long way from the amateurs to the pros and I’ve been through a lot in the boxing game so far. I came from the streets and to being back in the ring again. And I just want to show kids from the inner city that you can do it. Whatever it is you want to be or your goal, I don’t care what your environment is like, you can do it. You just have to work hard for it.
8 COUNT – Alright Rashad, I’ll let you go back to your training and I appreciate you for sharing your time with us to do this interview.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Thanks a lot man. I appreciate you.
8 COUNT – Good luck.
RASHAD HALLOWAY – Thanks.
by Dennis Guillermo
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