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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: RUSS ANBER
By Ivan Montiel
Why did he stop the fight?
IM: We’ve seen many fights being stopped prematurely, many boxing fans were confused wondering why did you stop the fight? Well I guess you know Lemieux better than us so tell us why did you stop the fight? "I actually feel a little upset to have to justify my actions because I thought they thought loud enough of especially when I received calls from prominent important smart people who knew right away that I had made the right decision in calling the fight. I have to say Ivan that I am surprised to hear you saying this after being around the fight game as long as you have knowing what it is to take punches, knowing David’s age, his future and how dangerous boxing can be. To ask this question with David being in the ring with someone like Rubio, a lead fisted fighter. "
IM: I guess most of us boxing fans wondered since Lemieux is a young puncher with the heart to fight. Lemieux was winning the fight, which is why many of us thought why not let this kid continue? Again you know Lemieux better than anyone of us. Maybe David couldn’t take it that well? Maybe you’ve seen things before the fight?
RA: Ivan only because I respect you but I wish I could get those other boxing people on the other line. The nay Sayers who were so cruel, think they know everything because I tell you I would give them a piece of my mind. To not know probably to not have stepped into a boxing ring. I am proud to say to the people whom I have received messages from people who are prominent think names in the sport who have been in the ring who have suffered in the ring who have taken punches who have been in the same position I am in and have complimented me on making a perfect decision in the most intense pressure imaginable on national television. I have no regrets about it what so ever
IM: I understand Lemieux is your fighter you’ve been with David for a very long time therefore you want to protect him. Of course you didn’t want Lemieux to receive further punishment, which is good
RA: Knowing this is good Ivan so why ask this question?
IM: Well Russ I am sure Lemieux will return. David should be able to bounce back from this loss. I guess what had me wondering is the fact that this kid is 22 years old very powerful he’s winning the fight.
RA: Had this been the 11th or final round I would have not made that call. You know Ivan it’s the fact that all these things you just mentioned which leads me to ask you what could possibly compel you or anyone else to even question why I stopped the fight? There was 24 seconds left in the round. David was laid against the ropes, Rubio is teeing off. So I should have let David take one more punch, two more punches, five more punches? How many more punches should David had been allowed to take before I stopped the fight? How many more punches should my fighter have to take before even the ref would step in to stop the fight? How many more punches would have been given before David would have fell flat on his face?
IM: Your right I guess in the end it has to do with round 7 about to end. Lemieux had to couple of more rounds to recover. Again Lemieux was winning the fight. Yes Lemieux got hurt in the 6th round and then all of a sudden in the 7th round the fight is stopped?
RA: Okay Ivan let me ask you this question do you think that David was hurt?
IM: Well Russ I honestly didn’t think Lemieux was that hurt. Yes Lemieux got hurt in the 6th and yes he was hurt in the 7th but then again that 7th round was about to end.
RA: Since you didn’t think David was hurt then don’t you think he would have been punching back? If David wasn’t hurt his head would have not snapped back seconds before I stopped the fight.
IM: Those are very good points! I must say I did notice Lemieux making several mistakes. Lemieux was reaching too much leaving himself open to counter shots. Teddy did also mention this throughout his broadcast. I am sure Lemieux will learn from his mistakes. You did give him good advice between rounds.
RA: Ivan if I did not stop the fight when I did there could have been a potential of a career-ending knockout. You know has much as I do Rubio is a devastating puncher. The fight turned on two right hard hands. Ayala could have hit David with those two punches and nothing would have happened. David had spent himself incredible in the first 5 rounds. David believed in his heart that he would knockout Rubio. David felt compelled which is the kind of fighter that he is. David is an extremely exciting crowd-pleasing type of fighter. David knew that the eyes of the boxing world were on him. David knew that the big TV networks were watching him. David wanted to go out to shock everyone with a devastating performance. For five rounds David did it by dominating the number 1 middleweight contender in the world making it look easy. David spent far too much energy getting away from the focus he had. David’s youth got caught up in the moment. These are things that no matter how much a trainer like myself explains to a young fighter sometimes they are not receptive to that type of information. These young fighters get so caught up in the moment that they want to impress so bad; David did it for 5 rounds.
IM: Yes he did, I just think Lemieux tried too hard to impress. David tried to much to go for that knockout. Rubio did state in his post comments that’s exactly the type of fight his team was expecting. Rubio expected a strong young fighter, that he sure felt Lemieux’s power. Rubio did block a lot of Lemieux’s punches. Rubio had studied Lemieux. Rubio wanted to make it to the late rounds. You knew that if this fight went into the late rounds it would be trouble for your fighter.
RA: I also did an interview on a Quebec television hours before the fight. I told everyone that my biggest fear was that David would hit Rubio’s chin with his best punch and that his opponent would smile saying c’mon let’s fight. I said before hand this could be problematic for us and that is exactly what happened. My biggest fear was when I saw how resilient Marco Antonio Rubio was. When we trained for this fight, we prepared for a marathon. I am clearly heard on television telling David not to do this in between rounds. David just got caught up and went out and did it! That was not the plan at all. We were going to box smart, use speed, and win every round and if the opening presented itself hurting Rubio that would be fine. David didn’t execute exactly what he had trained to do. We prepared for a marathon but David ran a sprint.
IM: Lemieux did try his best, did very well but as we all know Rubio is a veteran who has experience and a punch just like your fighter. You said it before the fight either Rubio or Lemieux would get knockout it’s a shame that it had to be your fighter.
RA: Actually in hindsight it might just be the best thing that happened to David. This is the fight that will make David realize there’s far more things to being a world-class fighter than simple power. No matter how powerful a fighter is he will one day face a fighter who has the ability to withstand power. You better have something else inside your bag of tricks. The best way I can put it is that power is a tool not a strategy. This kid used his power as a strategy. At the world-class level it’s not enough. In my opinion, at this early in David’s career. There are fighters who have turned pro at the age of 22. David is a baby when it comes to boxing. As long as I am with David he will not end up beat up, burnt out walking on his heels in his 30’s the same way that Fernando Vargas and David Reid are just because they were just put through the mill, beaten up at an early age. This will not happen with my fighter.
IM: That’s a very good point! Yes how can I forget what happened to both Vargas and Reid. To put a young fighter like Vargas against Felix TITO Trinidad was just crazy.
RA: To tell you the truth Ivan I don’t feel so good about putting David in with Rubio. I think this went against every grain with what I believed. This was a plan, the promoters, the WBC ordered it, and we felt confident in this. In terms of the skill of the fight, the fighter I have, both David and I proved that we could handle that calibre of opposition. I don’t think David could handle everything else that came with it. David wanted it so badly. David wanted to impress so bad but when you get to this level. When you want it so bad you often don’t get it. When you go looking for a knockout you often don’t get that knockout.
IM: Yes indeed we also saw what happened to James Kirkland this past weekend. Trying to knockout someone doesn’t always happen. A fighter shouldn’t be looking for a knockout if it comes it comes. Russ we sure hope to see Lemieux back on top. I’m sure you and Lemieux will go back to the gym work on many things. I’m sure you will look back at this fight. I wish you and Lemieux all the best!
RA: Thanks Ivan, I think this will make David a wiser and more mature fighter. I think were going to look back on this instead of two steps back, one step forward.
By Ivan Montiel
Why did he stop the fight?
IM: We’ve seen many fights being stopped prematurely, many boxing fans were confused wondering why did you stop the fight? Well I guess you know Lemieux better than us so tell us why did you stop the fight? "I actually feel a little upset to have to justify my actions because I thought they thought loud enough of especially when I received calls from prominent important smart people who knew right away that I had made the right decision in calling the fight. I have to say Ivan that I am surprised to hear you saying this after being around the fight game as long as you have knowing what it is to take punches, knowing David’s age, his future and how dangerous boxing can be. To ask this question with David being in the ring with someone like Rubio, a lead fisted fighter. "
IM: I guess most of us boxing fans wondered since Lemieux is a young puncher with the heart to fight. Lemieux was winning the fight, which is why many of us thought why not let this kid continue? Again you know Lemieux better than anyone of us. Maybe David couldn’t take it that well? Maybe you’ve seen things before the fight?
RA: Ivan only because I respect you but I wish I could get those other boxing people on the other line. The nay Sayers who were so cruel, think they know everything because I tell you I would give them a piece of my mind. To not know probably to not have stepped into a boxing ring. I am proud to say to the people whom I have received messages from people who are prominent think names in the sport who have been in the ring who have suffered in the ring who have taken punches who have been in the same position I am in and have complimented me on making a perfect decision in the most intense pressure imaginable on national television. I have no regrets about it what so ever
IM: I understand Lemieux is your fighter you’ve been with David for a very long time therefore you want to protect him. Of course you didn’t want Lemieux to receive further punishment, which is good
RA: Knowing this is good Ivan so why ask this question?
IM: Well Russ I am sure Lemieux will return. David should be able to bounce back from this loss. I guess what had me wondering is the fact that this kid is 22 years old very powerful he’s winning the fight.
RA: Had this been the 11th or final round I would have not made that call. You know Ivan it’s the fact that all these things you just mentioned which leads me to ask you what could possibly compel you or anyone else to even question why I stopped the fight? There was 24 seconds left in the round. David was laid against the ropes, Rubio is teeing off. So I should have let David take one more punch, two more punches, five more punches? How many more punches should David had been allowed to take before I stopped the fight? How many more punches should my fighter have to take before even the ref would step in to stop the fight? How many more punches would have been given before David would have fell flat on his face?
IM: Your right I guess in the end it has to do with round 7 about to end. Lemieux had to couple of more rounds to recover. Again Lemieux was winning the fight. Yes Lemieux got hurt in the 6th round and then all of a sudden in the 7th round the fight is stopped?
RA: Okay Ivan let me ask you this question do you think that David was hurt?
IM: Well Russ I honestly didn’t think Lemieux was that hurt. Yes Lemieux got hurt in the 6th and yes he was hurt in the 7th but then again that 7th round was about to end.
RA: Since you didn’t think David was hurt then don’t you think he would have been punching back? If David wasn’t hurt his head would have not snapped back seconds before I stopped the fight.
IM: Those are very good points! I must say I did notice Lemieux making several mistakes. Lemieux was reaching too much leaving himself open to counter shots. Teddy did also mention this throughout his broadcast. I am sure Lemieux will learn from his mistakes. You did give him good advice between rounds.
RA: Ivan if I did not stop the fight when I did there could have been a potential of a career-ending knockout. You know has much as I do Rubio is a devastating puncher. The fight turned on two right hard hands. Ayala could have hit David with those two punches and nothing would have happened. David had spent himself incredible in the first 5 rounds. David believed in his heart that he would knockout Rubio. David felt compelled which is the kind of fighter that he is. David is an extremely exciting crowd-pleasing type of fighter. David knew that the eyes of the boxing world were on him. David knew that the big TV networks were watching him. David wanted to go out to shock everyone with a devastating performance. For five rounds David did it by dominating the number 1 middleweight contender in the world making it look easy. David spent far too much energy getting away from the focus he had. David’s youth got caught up in the moment. These are things that no matter how much a trainer like myself explains to a young fighter sometimes they are not receptive to that type of information. These young fighters get so caught up in the moment that they want to impress so bad; David did it for 5 rounds.
IM: Yes he did, I just think Lemieux tried too hard to impress. David tried to much to go for that knockout. Rubio did state in his post comments that’s exactly the type of fight his team was expecting. Rubio expected a strong young fighter, that he sure felt Lemieux’s power. Rubio did block a lot of Lemieux’s punches. Rubio had studied Lemieux. Rubio wanted to make it to the late rounds. You knew that if this fight went into the late rounds it would be trouble for your fighter.
RA: I also did an interview on a Quebec television hours before the fight. I told everyone that my biggest fear was that David would hit Rubio’s chin with his best punch and that his opponent would smile saying c’mon let’s fight. I said before hand this could be problematic for us and that is exactly what happened. My biggest fear was when I saw how resilient Marco Antonio Rubio was. When we trained for this fight, we prepared for a marathon. I am clearly heard on television telling David not to do this in between rounds. David just got caught up and went out and did it! That was not the plan at all. We were going to box smart, use speed, and win every round and if the opening presented itself hurting Rubio that would be fine. David didn’t execute exactly what he had trained to do. We prepared for a marathon but David ran a sprint.
IM: Lemieux did try his best, did very well but as we all know Rubio is a veteran who has experience and a punch just like your fighter. You said it before the fight either Rubio or Lemieux would get knockout it’s a shame that it had to be your fighter.
RA: Actually in hindsight it might just be the best thing that happened to David. This is the fight that will make David realize there’s far more things to being a world-class fighter than simple power. No matter how powerful a fighter is he will one day face a fighter who has the ability to withstand power. You better have something else inside your bag of tricks. The best way I can put it is that power is a tool not a strategy. This kid used his power as a strategy. At the world-class level it’s not enough. In my opinion, at this early in David’s career. There are fighters who have turned pro at the age of 22. David is a baby when it comes to boxing. As long as I am with David he will not end up beat up, burnt out walking on his heels in his 30’s the same way that Fernando Vargas and David Reid are just because they were just put through the mill, beaten up at an early age. This will not happen with my fighter.
IM: That’s a very good point! Yes how can I forget what happened to both Vargas and Reid. To put a young fighter like Vargas against Felix TITO Trinidad was just crazy.
RA: To tell you the truth Ivan I don’t feel so good about putting David in with Rubio. I think this went against every grain with what I believed. This was a plan, the promoters, the WBC ordered it, and we felt confident in this. In terms of the skill of the fight, the fighter I have, both David and I proved that we could handle that calibre of opposition. I don’t think David could handle everything else that came with it. David wanted it so badly. David wanted to impress so bad but when you get to this level. When you want it so bad you often don’t get it. When you go looking for a knockout you often don’t get that knockout.
IM: Yes indeed we also saw what happened to James Kirkland this past weekend. Trying to knockout someone doesn’t always happen. A fighter shouldn’t be looking for a knockout if it comes it comes. Russ we sure hope to see Lemieux back on top. I’m sure you and Lemieux will go back to the gym work on many things. I’m sure you will look back at this fight. I wish you and Lemieux all the best!
RA: Thanks Ivan, I think this will make David a wiser and more mature fighter. I think were going to look back on this instead of two steps back, one step forward.
I'm sure Russ in annoyed about having to explain himself.
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